Bad news folks, a light drizzle is starting to fall on the MCG.
That could be it…
‘Ridiculous’: Melbourne's rain spoils blockbuster T20 World Cup clash
The blockbuster T20 World Cup clash between Australia with England has been abandoned, thanks to Melbourne's weather.
Australia's blockbuster T20 World Cup clash against England at the MCG has been abandoned without a ball being delivered, with rain spoiling the party in Melbourne.
It was a bitterly frustrating evening for everyone at the MCG - particularly the fans - but player safety was prioritised, as it should be.
Around 50,000 spectators were expected to waltz through the gates on Friday evening, but that estimate took a hit after Melbourne’s wild weather intervened.
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The previous match between Afghanistan and Ireland was abandoned due to rain, and it seemed inevitable the evening fixture would suffer the same fate.
It wasn’t torrential rain peppering the MCG on Friday, but rather an irritating sprinkle England’s cricketers would be all too familiar with.
Australia’s players stood in clumps near the covers, occasionally approaching the umpires for a chat, while Super Soppers slowly lapped the outfield.
The coin toss was delayed, with spectators retreating deeper into the Shane Warne Stand as the rain began falling heavier.
But just after 7pm, when the match was scheduled to get underway, the covers were finally dragged off unveiling a green deck, prompting cheers from the agitated crowd.
However, the conditions remained cause for concern, with the umpires pressing and prodding around the 30-yard circle as England’s players kicked around a footy in the outfield.
For about 90 minutes, nothing happened. It was tedious.
"They had some big concerns, and rightly so. The outfield was very wet," England captain Jos Buttler told reporters in the post-match press conference.
"There were some areas within the 30-yard circle which were not fit to play.
"As much as we all want to play cricket, it has to be safe, and it certainly wasn't that."
Each pitch inspection was followed by the promise of another examination in 45 minutes. The Melbourne crowd cheered at every sign - any sign - that they might witness some cricket this evening.
“The outfield has taken a drenching and that’s as wet as I have ever seen it in this stadium,” Australian captain Aaron Finch said.
"The run-ups were an issue and the inner circle at the members end, it was very, very wet.
“It’s more about player safety. It just comes down to what is safe to play in, if you were trying to run out there, and stop, it was a real issue.”
"Everyone was here to play, ready to go and a great turnout, it’s disappointing not to get on.”
Dragon's 1983 hit song "Rain" started blaring on the MCG speakers, with Marc Hunter's iconic lyrics serving as an appropriate warning for the umpires.
"Don't you go out in the rain..."
The dreaded rain returned at 8.45pm, and moment later, the unwanted news nobody wanted to hear was officially confirmed.
Match abandoned, points shared, go home.
Finch and Buttler shook hands as the dejected fans piled out of the iconic venue. It was the fourth match of the tournament to be abandoned without a result.
Much to the frustration of the International Cricket Council, full refunds will be issued to ticket-holders.
"It's a shame tonight, especially for everybody involved," Buttler said.
"Australia against England at the MCG in a must-win World Cup match is as big as it gets in your career, and they're the games you want to be involved in, no matter whatever the result is going to be."
There is nothing more cricket than not playing cricket.
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) October 28, 2022
The sport is undefeated at self-sabotage.
The #ICC has to wake up to themselves.
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) October 28, 2022
Ridiculous.
Players from Zimbabwe and South Africa were slipping over on Monday when it was pelting down with rain.
It can’t be worse than it was.
Get on with it #T20WorldCup
Cricket, supposedly, is in the entertainment business.
So what does this mean for Australia's T20 World Cup chances? Put simply, their defence campaign is alive, but there's still plenty of uncertainty about who will progress through to the semi-finals from Group 1.
Australia has two remaining Super 12 fixtures against Afghanistan and Ireland, which the reigning T20 World Cup champions are expected to win.
If the other matches play out as predicted, New Zealand, England and Australia could be equal on seven points at the top of their group.
Therefore, net run rate will be crucial. The Aussies not only have to win against the Afghans and Irish, they'll need to win big.
“I don’t think it will shift our selection too much,” Australian coach Andrew McDonald told reporters in the post-match press conference.
“We’ve picked a very powerful batting line-up and we’ve got bowlers that we think in certain conditions against certain opposition can do the job. We feel pretty well covered for the options that we have.
“Net run rate is going to come in to it, we knew that at the start of the tournament when you only play five games, net run rate can influence who goes through to the final four.
“We’ve been there before. First and foremost we have to improve facets of our game … get back to the cricket we are capable of, we probably haven’t done that the last couple of games.
“That excites me, there is still a lot of improvement in the group."
Australia will next face Ireland at the Gabba on Monday evening, with the first ball scheduled for 7pm AEDT.
Updates
8.35pm: It's raining again
8.25pm: The waiting continues
There will be yet another pitch inspection at 8.50pm, in around 25 minutes.
This is becoming quite tedious. There has not been a drop of rain for nearly 90 minutes.
There is nothing more cricket than not playing cricket.
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) October 28, 2022
The sport is undefeated at self-sabotage.
The #ICC has to wake up to themselves.
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) October 28, 2022
Ridiculous.
Players from Zimbabwe and South Africa were slipping over on Monday when it was pelting down with rain.
It can’t be worse than it was.
Get on with it #T20WorldCup
Cricket, supposedly, is in the entertainment business.
7.45pm: Another pitch inspection in 30 minutes
After the umpires had a lengthy chat to captains Aaron Finch and Jos Buttler out in the middle, it was revealed that there would be another pitch inspection at 8.15pm AEDT.
It's becoming increasingly likely that this match, if it's played, will be a reduced to less than 10 ovesr per side.
Gutted about this rain! Really hope they get on in Melbourne! #AUSvENG
— Jonny Bairstow (@jbairstow21) October 28, 2022
6.55pm - Covers are off
Cheers echo around the MCG as the covers start to come off at the MCG.
The rain has stopped, for the moment.
"I'm optimistic," SEN commentator Gerard Whateley said.
"We'll get some cricket tonight."
Some hope…. pic.twitter.com/cxGkQVV7tN
— George Dobell (@GeorgeDobell1) October 28, 2022
6.45pm: Still raining
Bad news, the rain seems to be getting heavier.
Meanwhile, Matthew Wade made an appearance on the field with his mask on.
Mask on 😷 #ENGvAUS #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/bXWyplaS2m
— SEN Cricket (@SEN_Cricket) October 28, 2022
6.30pm: Pitch inspection in an hour
There will be a pitch inspection at 7.30pm, in about one hour.
Covers are still on, and the rain has returned.
"I've been here for six days, and I haven't seen the sun yet," former England captain Michael Atherton said on commentary.
"It's bitterly cold out there."
6.20pm: Rain has stopped
The rain has stopped for the moment, and a handful of Australian players have made their way out to the middle to inspect the field.
Covers are still on.
6.10pm: Rain is back
Sorry to report, the rain is back at the MCG.
Covers are still on.
Bumped into two important-looking locals in the elevator & they sounded very confident that we’ll have play. “The rain from Geelong has gone & we’ll have nearly a full game,” was their verdict. I have a tendency to trust people who look important in lifts #T20WorldCup #AusvEng pic.twitter.com/CE2CCAfSGY
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) October 28, 2022
Wade expected to play
Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade is expected to don the gloves for tonight's match despite testing positive to Covid-19 on Thursday.
"My understanding is that Matthew Wade is expected to play tonight," cricket reporter Bharat Sundaresan told SEN.
"He just has a headache and isn't as crook as Adam Zampa was last week."
Afghanistan vs Ireland abandoned
The Super 12 match between Ireland and Afghanistan at the MCG has officially been abandoned.
The outcome is particularly frustrating for Afghanistan, who also had their game against New Zealand cancelled due to weather.
🌧️ MATCH ABANDONED 🌧️
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) October 28, 2022
Our clash against Afghanistan has been rained off. We go again against Australia on Monday.#AFGvIRE #T20WorldCup #BackingGreen ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/oQtOpcXD8H
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