Any Sydney-siders looking out the window would undoubtedly believe Australia’s hopes had been washed away by a flood of rain at the SCG.
That is unless you are the SCG’s curator Adam Lewis.
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Constant rain over the past two days has seen 25-30mL fall on the ground but the positive curator believes that if the rain can stop, it will clear up quickly — similarly to the Big Bash League final.
Speaking on the World Cup’s coverage on Fox Sport, former Aussie star Alex Blackwell said it would take about 90 minutes of clear weather to get a game in with the heavy rain threatening India and England’s match, which was scheduled to start at 3pm.
Under World Cup rules, the side need to get a toss in by 4.36pm and get on the field by 4.51pm, with both sides needing to bowl 10 overs to constitute a match.
It’s looking bleak with the Bureau of Meteorology radar showing plenty of rain over the CBD.
It appears set to hand India a maiden women’s World Cup final.
Not looking good for Australia or England.Source:AFP
It also leaves South Africa in the box seat to move through to the final again Australia with no play.
But while Australia are hoping for a reprieve, Lewis believes a break in rain will allow the ground staff to get the field ready in quick time.
Cricket.com.au reported the South Africa-Australia game would need to start no later than 8.49pm AEDT.
“We have had a really clear week this week, we knew that the rain was coming so we have prepped this one a little early,” Lewis said.
“We are really happy with the wicket itself and the surroundings. The outfield has come up really well.
“We have had approximately 25-30ml in the past few days, and it had no affect on the outfield. So we are looking really good leading into tomorrow’s match.”
It was almost a month ago that the ground hosted the Big Bash League final with torrential rain lashed the ground until just hours before the game.
But a 12-over game still took place as the covers came off at 7.10pm, when the game was scheduled to start.
“We learned a lot from the Twenty20 finals, so the guys have a lot of experience now with wet weather,” Lewis said.
“So if we do happen to have a little bit of rain we are well prepared and we knew we will be able to get the guys on as soon as we have a bit of clear weather.”
England might be at home in the rain but they’re not happy about it.Source:Getty Images
But if the weather does not stop, the ICC rules state there is no reserve day with Cricket Australia’s hopes of a late allowance for an extra day was denied.
A wash out would pit India against South Africa at the MCG where organisers were hoping to attract 90,000 fans, and block Australia from a shot at defending their title.
The lack of reserve day has been criticised by some players, with England captain Heather Knight among those calling for the rules to change.
“If both semi-finals are lost it would be a sad time for the tournament,” she told reporters on Wednesday.
“It’s obviously going to be a shame if it does happen and I’m sure there will be a lot of pressure on the ICC to change that.”
Normally, five overs per side are needed to constitute a Twenty20 match, but the rules are different for ICC tournaments and 10 each are required.
— with AAP
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