‘India can pretty much do what they like’- Jon Lewis points out training facility bias in UAE

During the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, England women’s head coach Jon Lewis recently spoke out over the obvious bias regarding the training facilities in the United Arab Emirates. Taking the stage, he blasted the organisers for allowing the Indian team to train on Sharjah’s centre wicket.

He exposed the prejudice against squad India by pointing out that whereas the other teams were required to train at the ICC academy, the squad was permitted to practise in Sharjah. It’s important to remember that England was eliminated from the group stages after losing to the West Indies in their last match.

India is essentially free to do what they please, isn’t it? Is that the how it operates? Wisden quoted Jon Lewis as saying.

England’s poor run rate ultimately proved to be their undoing; despite finishing third in Group B with three victories and one defeat in four games, South Africa and the West Indies advanced to the tournament’s knockout stages. Australia and South Africa will play each other in the competition’s first semi-final, while New Zealand will play the West Indies in the second.

“Nobody has had a chance to practise at Dubai International Stadium. We have been training at the nearby ICC Academy. I was unaware that they did it. I had no idea.

Every squad had the chance to practise in Sharjah: An ICC Official

It’s interesting to note that the ICC facilities have been used for practice by all 10 sides. Scotland and India reportedly seized the chance to practise at the Sharjah Cricket Ground’s main wicket.

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After witnessing Lewis’ remarks, an ICC representative came forward to offer his opinion. He disclosed that every team in the competition got the opportunity to practise on the main pitch.