Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals to be hit by rain: here’s what happens when it does
After the ICC turned down a late CA request for a reserve day, the T20 World Cup finalists will be decided in Sydney on Thursday, with or without play. What can, and can’t happen now, and what impact for Australia?
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It could be the cruellest of fates: Australia has fought back in its quest for back-to-back T20 World Cup trophies after losing its opening game to India, scraping through against Sri Lanka and then coming back into top form against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
But it could all be for nothing, the hosts’ tournament over without another ball being bowled, with heavy rain forecast in Sydney threatening to wash out Thursday’s semi-finals day at the SCG.
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The ICC has not scheduled any reserve day for the two matches. And if there is no play, the two top teams from each group will automatically qualify. Meaning Sunday’s final will be between India and South Africa, England and Australia, second in their respective groups, eliminated.
We’ve been here before of course. And recently. The final of this year’s BBL had been written off as a washout even an hour before the start time at the same venue earlier this year.
Then the heavens opened and we had a contest, reduced to 12 overs each.
The chance of play this week has not deserted us. But players and officials are currently looking through rule books and conditions of play advice to understand the possible outcomes.
What’s happening on Thursday?
There are two semi-finals scheduled at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday:
* India v England, 3pm
* Australia v South Africa, 7pm.
In the event of rain, there is up to 30 minutes of extra time allotted for each game, on top of the 2hrs 45 mins allotted for each game.
But because there must be a minimum of half an hour gap between the two games, the first semi-final would need to be completed by 6.15pm.
It is possible that if the India/England game is washed out (and therefore India, as the top-placed group A team progresses to the final), the Australia/South Africa game could still go ahead either in full or with a shortened contest, if the rain has stopped by the evening.
Though still with an end time no later than 10.15pm.
How short can a match be?
Regular T20 internationals have a minimum of five overs per side for there to be a legitimate game, but they’ve been increased for this tournament to 10 overs in knockout matches.
The team to bat first could be bowled out in five overs, but the second batting side must have the opportunity to bat for 10 overs for it to be a legitimate game of cricket.
The longer game time required because of this reduces the chances of an official match and result, needing the rain to stay away for longer than, say, in a WBBL or tri-series contest.
How bad is the forecast?
Pretty bad.
As of Wednesday lunchtime the official forecast for Thursday from the Bureau of Meteorology is for an 80 per cent chance of 5mm-20mm rain, with a maximum temperature of 25C, for what that’s worth.
The BOM website also says there is a real chance of thunderstorms, with wind dropping later in the evening. Good news if the skies have cleared, bad if a shower has set in by then.
Can’t they just play the matches on Friday if needed?
No, apparently.
This tournament has no reserve days so a ‘result’ has to be affected on the day, either via some actual action on the field or the top finisher in each group getting a pass to the final.
Cricket Australia CEO, Kevin Roberts, told SEN earlier today that Cricket Australia had approached the ICC and asked about the possibility of a reserve day for the World Cup semi finals on Friday - but that request had been turned down.
“We’ve asked the question and it’s not part of the playing conditions. We respect that,” Roberts said.
“You want the match to be won and lost inside the ropes rather than won or lost based on the weather, don’t you?
“We’re optimistic based on the drainage at the SCG combined with the weather forecast that’s not perfect but not terrible either. We’re really hopeful and planning for different scenarios tomorrow night. The important thing is getting our team ready to play a 10-over match, 12-over match, 18-over match or whatever it happens to be if it’s not a full T20 contest.
“…It gives you cause to reflect and think about how you might improve things in the future.
Going into a tournament with a given set of playing conditions and rules I don’t think it’s time to tinker with that as much as with an Australian hat on, I’d love that.”
The ICC’s lack of a reserve day for the semis is consistent with previous ICC T20 World Cup tournaments, including the 2018 Women’s T20 event played in the West Indies and the men’s event two years earlier.
There is a reserve day for the final, with Monday, March 9 (even Katy Perry is booked for this day in case of rain).
An ICC spokesperson responded to the criticism about the lack of a reserve day by saying: “The ICC T20 World Cups are short sharp events where reserve days are factored in for the final.
“Allowing for any other reserve days would have extended the length of the event, which isn’t feasible.
“There is a clear and fair alternative should there be no play in any of the semi finals with the winner of the group progressing.”
The SCG’s drainage is magic though, right?
Yes and no.
The speed at which the outfield was readied for the BBL final between Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars, after days o f heavy rain, was something to behold.
And the ground staff were rightly given honourable mentions in all match reports.
But there’s only so much they can do. It’s a case of crossing fingers and hoping they get enough clear skies to work with again.
Players like Aussie opener Beth Mooney certainly have faith, the in-form opener among those impressed by the BBL final performance of SCG curators.
“I’m sure they will be doing everything they can to make sure there are at least 10 overs a side for both games,” Mooney said.
Keep the faith.