Reserve days could be introduced at this year’s ICC T20 World Cup in Australia after the first scheduled semi-final between England and India at last month’s T20 Women’s World Cup was rained out without a ball bowled.

The result had India progress to the final much to the disappointment of England and the issue immediately rose to the attention of the ICC, who was criticised for not making the necessary arrangements for such a predicament.

Earlier this week Cricket Australia confirmed that it is continuing with normal preparations for the event, which is set to start in October, despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. However, currently no provision is made for reserve days before the final in Melbourne on 15 November.

The governing body’s chief executive, Kevin Roberts, admits reserve days could become necessary for the competition but also feels strong about sticking with the ICC’s current playing conditions.

Speaking to Cricket.com.au, Roberts said there is a fine line between changing the rules and conditions from one event to another.

‘There’s always cause for reflection at the end of any tournament or any season, in terms of how you approach future tournaments. In saying that, there will be people who suggest there should be semi-final reserve days for the men’s.

‘But I’m not sure how the English women’s team would feel about that, not having had a reserve day in their leg of the tournament.’

With that in mind, Roberts suggests that it might be worth reviewing the inclusion of reserve days after the men’s edition in order to insure an equal playing field for this year.

‘Typically, the playing conditions are determined before a tournament starts and we’ve got two events here – women’s and men’s – within the one tournament, albeit staged at different times of the year,’ Roberts said.

It is believed that an ICC committee will get together mid-year to discuss playing conditions in general before they can be introduced by the ICC’s chief executives committee at a later stage.

Should changes be tabled by any members of the ICC it could be done at this CEC meeting.