Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has criticized Cricket Australia (CA) for not including Sunil Gavaskar in the trophy presentation after the fifth Test. Michael Clarke revealed that the decision to offer the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was planned in advance but added that it offended Sunil Gavaskar.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, named after legends Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border, was not presented as expected in Sydney. The trophy was designed to be handed over by Gavaskar or Border, depending on the winner, but Gavaskar, who was on the border, was not called during the ceremony.
Allan Border handed the trophy to Australian captain Pat Cummins after Australia won the fifth Test. This was Australia's first BGT win since the 2014-15 season. The trophy was introduced in the 1996-97 India-Australia Test series, to honor Border and Gavaskar, who dominated the sport in the 1970s and 1980s.
Australian Cricket Missed a Trick – Michael Clarke
Speaking on ESPN's About The Wicket, Michael Clarke said CA had decided that Sunil Gavaskar would present the trophy if India won. Clark said the plan wasn't a surprise to Gavaskar or Border, but the decision didn't make sense.
“I just think Australian cricket missed the trick. Now, I know a lot of people don't know that it was planned before this year started that if India won, Sunny would present the trophy. If Australia won, Alan Clarke would present Border,” Clarke told ESPN. “The Cup, so it wasn't a surprise to those two guys, but to me, it doesn't make sense.”
It seems to me that he clearly offended Sunil Gavaskar – Michael Clarke
Clarke said both Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border should have been involved in presenting the trophy, regardless of who won. Clarke felt Cricket Australia missed an opportunity by not having both legends on stage to present the trophy.
“No matter who won, in my opinion, they both should have walked out. They both should have been on stage. They both should have presented the trophy. I think we're very lucky to have both AB and Sunny in the country to comment. “At the right time, no You get that often,” Clark stated.
“You know, both legends of the game that the cup is named after were still in the country at the same time. So I think we missed a trick there. I think it seems to me that it clearly offended Sunny because, well, and I can understand why,” he added. “I think they should have been on that stage presenting that trophy, regardless of who won.”
Whoever is named after the trophy has to give it away – Aaron Finch
In the same video, Aaron Finch was asked if the decision was disrespectful. He agreed with Michael Clarke that Cricket Australia missed an opportunity by not having both legends at the ceremony.
“Yes, and maybe it's just an oversight. Obviously you look at the track and say, well, whoever wins that, whoever is named after the trophy, should present it. But as Bob (Michael Clarke) said, I completely agree with him,” Finch said. “They both should have been there.”
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