Team India’s victory in the Day-Night Test didn’t only knock England out of the World Test Championship, but it may have also ensured their place in the final irrespective of the result in the last Test.
Initially, the scenario was that if England manage to defeat India in the fourth and final Test then Australia were to qualify for the WTC final. But, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is now looking to consider Cricket South Africa's (CSA) formal complaint against Cricket Australia (CA) should the latter qualify for the WTC final, reported Sydney Morning Herald.
Last month, Australia pulled out of three-Test tour to South Africa, citing “unacceptable” risk to the touring party amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The turn of events saw CSA expressing its “extreme disappointment” publically and also lodged a complaint against Cricket Australia with the ICC, seeking financial compensation and deduction in WTC points for Tim Paine and company.
According to a report in Sydney Morning Herald, if the ICC decides to take away points from Australia then the side would be eliminated from the WTC even if England beat India in the final Test.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia has been given the time until the end of this week to meet the deadline set by the ICC to inform whether the matter can be resolved through negotiations.
In case, it doesn’t happen then the matter would be transferred from the dispute committee of the ICC to an independent panel and they would be taking a call whether CA was within its right to postpone the series in South Africa.
The independent panel may also award 120 points for the postponed three Tests to South Africa and if this happens, it would ensure that Australia finishes below India even if the latter gets beaten in the fourth Test.
Alternatively, the panel may also give CSA and Cricket Australia an opportunity to hold the series at a later date before the current FTP finishes in April 2023.
(With ANI inputs)
