Cricket Australia Stands Firm on Afghanistan Amid Allegations of Hypocrisy
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Melbourne, Dec 5 (NationPress) Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird has firmly defended the organization's decision to refrain from engaging in bilateral matches with Afghanistan, in light of hypocrisy accusations levied by outgoing ICC chair Greg Barclay.
Barclay, whose tenure concluded on December 1 with Jay Shah taking over, criticized cricket boards for opting not to play against Afghanistan outside of global tournaments during a detailed interview with the UK's Daily Telegraph.
"If you truly wish to make a political statement, then do not compete against them in a World Cup," Barclay remarked. "Yes, it might jeopardize your chance of reaching the semi-finals, but principles are principles. It is not about having a half-hearted principle."
In reaction to Barclay's comments, Baird supported Cricket Australia's stance on abstaining from bilateral matches with Afghanistan due to the Taliban's prohibition on women participating in sports. He underscored their ongoing support for female refugee players currently living in Australia, including plans for an Afghanistan Women's XI to play against a Cricket Without Borders XI on January 30 at Junction Oval, prior to the day-night Ashes Test at the MCG.
"I encountered those comments this morning, and I had not previously heard such views in any context. Of course, he is entitled to his opinion. He is moving on to new ventures, and we wish him all the best; however, we are immensely proud of our position. We are backing the Afghan women's cricket team and those members still present here, and we will continue to do so at the end of the summer," stated Baird.
"People hold varying opinions, naturally, but we are quite content with our stance. There are numerous lines that can be drawn. We have established a clear boundary, we have taken a stand, and we are proudly upholding it where we believe it is necessary. I believe that event scheduled for the end of January will be a celebration of women and the progress we are witnessing in the women's game in this country. We remain proud of it," he added.
Baird also adopted a diplomatic approach concerning India's request to cease public training sessions during their tour, following an incident where over 5,000 fans attended a practice session at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday. Plans for open training sessions in Brisbane and Sydney have since been scrapped. Nonetheless, fans will still have the opportunity to observe training at the MCG, as the nets are visible from public spaces.
Baird confirmed that Cricket Australia would maintain some Australian training sessions open to the public, emphasizing their significance in strengthening the bond between fans and the team.
"This is undoubtedly a challenging time as you prepare for a competitive Test series, and different teams will adopt varying strategies," he noted. "We fully comprehend that. Enormous pressure accompanies this, along with various distractions.
"From our perspective, we cherish the fact that our players are accessible and enjoy these interactions as well. We want our fans to connect with these players. This is a once-in-a-generation team featuring once-in-a-generation players. That type of experience is vital for the growth of the game. India has taken a stance, and we completely respect that. We will proceed as we have been doing for a long time."
