Likely SCG washout for BBL Final prompts calls for reserve day to save future finals disappointment
CA have scrambled to rescue the Bushfire Bash match, but the debate is still raging over possible solutions to a SCG BBL Final washout, with Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist offering contrasting solutions.
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Opinions are split over whether Cricket Australia has failed by not making the bold decision to pre-empt Saturday’s looming BBL Final washout in Sydney.
Fox Cricket and Channel 7 were pushing for a venue shift to the MCG or Marvel Stadium earlier this week, believing it would have created the win-win of saving a Final that appears doomed while also providing a major venue where the masses could turn out to watch the game’s legends play in the Bushfire Bash match.
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Organisers on Thursday saved the charity extravaganza by rescheduling it for Sunday at Melbourne’s Junction Oval, but the occasion will now be played in front of 7000 people and it’s lost its No.1 drawcard Shane Warne – who was forced to withdraw.
Test legend Ricky Ponting, who will captain one of the two Bushfire teams, backed Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts’ stance, adamant administrators would have been wrong to rewrite the rules on the Sydney Sixers who had qualified to host the final.
However, Adam Gilchrist, called into replace Warne as the opposition captain for Sunday, believes CA could have justified making an arbitrary exemption based on the fact the BBL final was attached to a mega charity drive for bushfire ravaged communities.
Both Ponting and Gilchrist believe CA must immediately address the failure to set a reserve day for the BBL final in the event of rain.
“I think in these circumstances it might have been a consideration to bring everything here (to the MCG),” Gilchrist said on Thursday.
“... You can’t play God and can’t predict with any certainty weather … it’s a challenging one and we will all move ahead with a positive mindset and do our best for this really tragic circumstances (the fires) that have arisen and try and put a silver lining on a challenging summer.”
CEO Roberts said CA would be shattered if the Sixers are gifted the BBL trophy on a washout, but insists there are no regrets about the decision to stick solid with soon-to-be-waterlogged Sydney.
“We really want to respect the BBL. It’s one of the greatest sporting leagues in the world,” said Roberts, who confirmed all proceeds from both Saturday and Sunday will go to the bushfire appeal.
“That means implementing the playing conditions as they are for this season. I don’t think it’s helpful to any sporting competition to change the rules midway through the season.”
Nearly 30,000 tickets had already been sold in Sydney, making any prospect of a BBL Final shift even harder, although CA has still offered refunds on the basis that the bushfire game is no longer on the billing.
Ponting backed the stance of Cricket Australia, but said the one thing administrators could have done was provide a spare day on Sunday to increase the chances of getting a final.
“The playing conditions are there for a reason and I think it’s really important that the integrity of the competition stays the way it is,” said Ponting.
“(But) I do think (a reserve day) is really important. You go through a season as long as we have, and we get to the pointy end of the season … Sunday could be washed out as well, but at least this would give you another chance and another opportunity to have a winner and a full game completed.”
In the end, Cricket Australia have scrambled well to rescue the charity match, given the litany of logistic issues.
The Daily Telegraph understands old brothers in arms Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer will be partnered up again to open for one team, while all-time greats Ponting and Brian Lara are expected to line-up alongside each other out in the middle on the same side - after netting together in a bid to remove some rust.
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Despite the blow of the game’s No.1 entertainer Warne not being able to take part due to prior commitments that have him flying overseas, organisers have managed to retain international stars Brian Lara, Wasim Akram, Yuvraj Sing and Courtney Walsh to play.
“It’s a real shame that one of the greatest drawcards in cricket history Shane Warne can’t be there, he’s been integral to this whole fundraising campaign,” said Gilchrist.
“But can’t wait to get in and do our bit.”
TEAMS:
Ponting XI: Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting (c), Elyse Villani, Brian Lara, Phoebe Litchfield, Brad Haddin (wk), Brett Lee, Wasim Akram, Dan Christian, Luke Hodge. Coach: Sachin Tendulkar
Gilchrist XI: Adam Gilchrist (c & wk), Shane Watson, Brad Hodge, Yuvraj Singh, Alex Blackwell, Andrew Symonds, Courtney Walsh, Nick Riewoldt, Peter Siddle, Fawad Ahmed (onemore to be announced).
Coach: Tim Paine