England cricketers Kate Cross: and: Alex Hartley clarified that their criticism of the ICC’s Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final scheduling was never directed at India, saying they received abuse and even death threats after their comments were widely circulated on social media.The couple addressed the No Balls issue. The Cricket Podcast, which clarified that their original criticism was directed only at the tournament’s scheduling policy, not the Indian team.Cross revealed the scale of the backlash.“That post received 450 comments. There seems to be some confusion because I don’t think what we said was warranted by the death threats and abuse we received.”He then clarified that India was never the target of their criticism.“We want to make it clear that this has nothing to do with India. According to the ICC, the scheduling has been done to optimize viewing and attendance in the UK while also considering the global audience.”
What sparked the controversy?
The debate started after the ICC confirmed the schedule of the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final before the knockout stage.Under the rules of the tournament, the top two teams from Groups A and B will qualify for the semi-finals. Usually, the Group A winners will face the Group B runners-up in one semi-final, while the Group B winner will face the Group A runners-up in the other.However, there is an exception. If India qualifies for the semi-finals, they will automatically play the first semi-final on June 30, which is scheduled to start at 8:00 pm IST, a prime-time television slot for Indian viewers. The second semi-final, starting at 12:00 am IST on July 3, is considered more favorable for UK viewers, especially with hosts England still in contention.If India fails to qualify, the tournament will follow the standard knockout bracket.
What Cross and Hartley originally said
Speaking before India’s final group stage match, Cross questioned why a team should set the semi-final in advance.“Can we talk about the fact that I see now that if India qualifies for the semis, they are guaranteed to play in the semi-finals on Tuesday because the ICC thinks it is best for them to play on time.”Hartley responded by pointing out that the practice was not new.“It’s happened in men’s cricket, women’s cricket, all the World Cups.”Cross admits he understands the commercial reasons but believes the principle is flawed.“Everyone can plan it based on when India will play. It’s completely mental. I don’t understand how you can go into a tournament and the governing body will prioritize a team like that. I know why they do it, but I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.Hartley also noted that the scheduling debate would become irrelevant if India did not make the last four.“Yes, it’s not good but it looks like they might struggle to qualify anyway.”
India were knocked out, the schedule was followed in the normal format
The discussion eventually turned academic after India were knocked out of the tournament following their loss to Australia in their final group stage match.With India failing to reach the semi-finals, the special scheduling provision was not used, and the competition was reverted to the standard knockout bracket.Australia will play West Indies in the first semi-final on Tuesday, while England will face South Africa in the second semi-final on Thursday.Following the online backlash, Cross and Hartley reiterated that their criticism was aimed at the ICC’s scheduling policy and not at India, stressing that their comments were misunderstood and should not have resulted in personal abuse or threats.