Australia and England arrived at the MCG with the distinct possibility one of their T20 World Cup campaigns would be over. Instead, both left with their dreams still alive.
The big wet claimed another cricket game on Friday night when the eagerly awaited clash between cricket’s oldest rivals was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to an unsafe outfield.
The losers are the bean counters of the International Cricket Council, with the 40,000 to 50,000 tickets sold to be fully refunded.
Ground staff place covers over the wicket.Credit:AP
While a victory would have all but assured Aaron Finch’s men safe passage to the semi-finals, they can still be reasonably confident of progressing, though their fate is not entirely in their own hands.
Predicting results is fraught in a tournament with its share of upsets and wet weather but the bottom line is Australia must win both their remaining games – against the unfancied Ireland and Afghanistan – and by big margins to restore a run rate battered by the heavy loss to New Zealand.
But the hosts could still be bundled out if England defeat both New Zealand and Sri Lanka by sufficient margin to keep their net run rate above Australia’s.
Sri Lanka are the jokers in the pack though they must beat both England and the Kiwis, along with Afghanistan to vault themselves to four wins.
The game was officially called off just before 9pm after another shower washed away any faint hope of getting the game underway.
“That’s as wet as I’ve ever seen it at this stadium,” the Melbourne-based Finch said after the game.
“It’s more about player safety. If you’re trying to run out there it will be real issue. Everyone was here to play, ready to go and a great turnout, it’s disappointing not to get on.”
Australia’s next game is against Ireland on Monday night in Brisbane, where the early forecast is for the chance of a thunderstorm in the evening.
The earlier game between Ireland and Afghanistan was also washed out without any play. The result was a bitter blow to the Irish, whose hopes had been buoyed after their shock win over England on Wednesday.
More to come
STANDINGS
1. New Zealand 1-0-1, +4.450 NRR, 3 points
2. England 1-1-1, +0.239 NRR, 3 points
3. Ireland 1-1-1, -1.169 NRR, 3 points
4. Australia 1-1-1, -1.555 NRR, 3 points
5. Sri Lanka 1-1, +0.450 NRR, 2 points
6. Afghanistan 0-1-2, -0.620 NRR, 2 points
The winner of Sri Lanka v New Zealand tomorrow at the SCG will top the group with two matches remaining.
