MANCHESTER: Rain, that word, which seemed to have deserted the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 after playing spoilsport in the initial part of the tournament, came back to halt proceedings in the first semi-final between India and New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester on Tuesday.
The forecast for the day did predict showers and the weatherman was absolutely bang on with the prediction. As New Zealand were just about finding their momentum, albeit late in the game, the heavens opened and players had to leave the field with New Zealand 211/5 in 46.1 overs.
Ross Taylor was batting on 65 off 85 deliveries and giving him company was Tom Latham (3* off 4 balls). While the group stage matches had no reserve days, fans could heave a sigh of relief with reserve days being scheduled for all the knockout matches.
RESERVE DAY
According to the tournament rules, if any of the two semi-finals or the final do not finish on the scheduled day, then play will resume from exactly the same position on the following day.
So, it will be a continuation of the previous day’s play and not a restart. If no play was possible on the scheduled day, then a full 50 overs-a-side match will begin on the reserve day, subject to weather conditions. However, the rules also suggest that all efforts would be made to ensure that match is completed on same day even if it goes to extent of the match being reduced to 20 overs-a-side or extending it by up to two hours.
In that case, if New Zealand’s innings concludes on 211 for 5 in 46.1 overs, the 46-over target for India would be 237. If India’s innings is reduced to 20 overs, their target would be 148.
WASH-OUT SCENARIO
But what happens if no play is possible on the reserve day as well? Then it comes down to which team finished higher on the points table in the league stage.
So, in the India-New Zealand semi-final, if there’s no play possible on the reserve day also, then India will qualify for the final as they topped the table, while New Zealand finished fourth.
If the final also is a rain-affected encounter and no play is possible on a reserve day as well, then the trophy will be shared by the two finalists.If any of the three knockouts – the two semis or the final – ends in a tie, then the result will be decided via a Super Over.
The cricket fans would be hoping for a brighter day on Wednesday, where cricket would hog all the limelight and the weather, for a change takes the backseat.
