Aussie coach wants ICC to let ODI matches continue in spite of rain

Published June 8, 2017
Australia coach Darren Lehmann — File
Australia coach Darren Lehmann — File

Australia coach Darren Lehmann wants one-day international matches to continue as long as conditions are safe, even if not ideal, after back-to-back washouts left his team's Champions Trophy campaign in complete disarray.

The 50-over world champions are particularly upset after their second Group A match against Bangladesh was washed out on Monday just four overs short of what could have been a comfortable victory after having to split points with New Zealand in their tournament opener.

Fear of rain looms large over Saturday's do-or-die match against Ashes rivals England as well and Lehmann said administrators need to think more about the fans who expect a result.

“I think we've just got to be more liberal to play some cricket. The fans want to see a result,” Lehmann said. “Especially this time of year in England, you can get (wet) weather. So it's a case of if it's not raining or it's drizzling, we should just play.”

He cited the example of Twenty20 cricket where matches continued in light rain.

“My view is simple play as much cricket as you can, where you possibly can,” said the 47-year-old.

“You have to consider the safety of the players. That's important and umpires and match referees take that into account.

“But we've played games in the past, I can think of a T20 game in South Africa (in 2014) where we had sand or sawdust on the ground to play.”

International Cricket Council's influential Cricket Committee, of which Lehmann is a member, has had several discussions on rain delays but more needed to be done, said the former player.

“Players and administrators have to move the game forward in the best way for the fans.

Because we've got to grow the game.” Leg-spinner Adam Zampa has said Australia were looking at the match against England as a quarter-final contest and Lehmann suggested big-hitting batsman Chris Lynn could feature in the playing XI, possibly at the expense of all-rounder Moises Henriques.

“He'll come into contention again for the last game against England,” he said of the 25-year-old.

“At the moment, with the make-up of our side, Zampa came in for (John) Hastings (after the first game) because we thought it would spin. He bowled very well. “But he's a real chance to play, Lynn.”

Must Read

May 12, 2007 — the day Karachi went berserk

May 12, 2007 — the day Karachi went berserk

Retired SHC judge recalls the bloody Saturday when the city was under siege for nearly 24 hours and held hostage by forces in the face of whom even jurists and law enforcers were helpless.

Opinion

Editorial

A turbulent 2023
Updated 12 May, 2024

A turbulent 2023

Govt must ensure judiciary's independence, respect for democratic processes, and protection for all citizens against abuse of power.
A moral victory
12 May, 2024

A moral victory

AS the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted on Friday in favour of granting Palestine greater rights at the...
Hope after defeat
12 May, 2024

Hope after defeat

ON Saturday, having fallen behind Japan in the first quarter of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final, Pakistan showed...
Taxing pensions
Updated 11 May, 2024

Taxing pensions

Tax reforms have failed to deliver because of distortions created by the FBR bureaucracy through SROs, apparently for personal gains.
Orwellian slide
11 May, 2024

Orwellian slide

IN recent years, Pakistan has made several attempts at introducing an overarching mechanism through which to check...
Terror against girls
11 May, 2024

Terror against girls

ONCE again, the ogre of terrorism is seeking the sacrifice of schoolgirls. On Wednesday, just days after the...