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 was planned on the presentation of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 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 presented by either Gavaskar or Border, depending on the winner, but Gavaskar, who was on the border, was not called during the ceremony.
Allan Border presented the trophy to Australian captain Pat Cummins after Australia won the fifth Test. It was Australia's first BGT win since the 2014–15 season. The trophy, introduced in the 1996-97 India-Australia Test series, honors Border and Gavaskar, who dominated the sport in the 1970s and 1980s.
Cricket Australia missed a trick – Michael Clarke
Speaking on ESPN Around The Wicket, Michael Clarke said that CA has decided that Sunil Gavaskar will present the trophy if India win. Clarke said the plan was not a surprise to Gavaskar or Border but the decision made no sense.
“I think Cricket Australia missed a trick. Now, I know a lot of people don't know that before this year started, it was planned, if India won, Sunny would present the trophy. If Australia won, Alan. Border would present the trophy . So it wasn't a surprise to those two, but it just doesn't make sense to me,” Clarke told Around The Wicket.
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 the trophy presentation, regardless of the winner. Clarke felt Cricket Australia missed an opportunity by not having both legends on stage to present the trophy.
“Regardless of who won, in my opinion, they both should have come out. Both should have been on stage. Both should have presented the trophy. I think we're very lucky to have both AB and Sunny in the country commentating on the right time, you don't get that very often,” Clarke said.
“You know, both legends of the game that the trophy is named after are still around and they're in the country at the same time. So I just think I missed a trick there. I think it seems to me that it obviously offended Sunny as Well, and I can see why I think they should have both been presenting that trophy, regardless of who won.
Whoever the trophy is named after should introduce it – 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 present at the ceremony.
“Yes, and probably just an oversight. Obviously you look at the track and say, well, whoever wins this, whoever is named after the trophy, should present it. But as Pup (Michael Clarke) said, I totally agree. Both should have been there, Cricket Australia certainly missed a trick there,” Finch said.
Read also: Michael Clarke reveals Sydney's 'extreme' and 'worst' pitch as ICC issues controversial verdict