Key posts
Promising signs for tonight’s game as rain stops
By Andrew Wu
The ground staff are taking the covers off the pitch to a warm applause from the crowd in readiness for an inspection at 7.30 pm.
It’s starting to look a bit more encouraging to get a game in tonight. The rain has stopped, and the clouds do not look as gloomy as they did an hour ago.
As we all know, the drainage at the MCG is excellent so it shouldn’t take too long to clear the water off the surface.
The main issue is whether the rain will return. The radar looks OK to the west of Melbourne.
Toss delayed
The coin toss has been delayed due to rain until 7.30pm when there’ll be an inspection.
Rain threatens tonight’s contest
Below is an image of the rain radar for Melbourne at 5.50pm this evening.
Click here to track the radar live at the Bureau of Meteorology.
The Bureau of Meteorology radar image for Melbourne – Friday evening, 28 October. 5.50pm.Credit:BOM
Rain, rain go away
Members of the Irish team left to ponder what might’ve been after their match against Afghanistan at the MCG was called off this afternoon without a ball being bowled in anger.
Ireland cricketers.Credit:Getty Images
Afghanistan, Ireland washed out
Ominously, the first game at the MCG has already been washed out without a ball being bowled.
Afghanistan and Ireland have split the points, and the Irish are now in second spot on the Group 1 table.
It makes the clash between Australia and England even more important for both sides, assuming it goes ahead.
If the main event gets washed out as well, they will move back to fourth and second place respectively in the standings.
The covers are on at the MCG.Credit:Getty Images
Pakistan shocked by Zimbabwe
Meanwhile, in case you missed it, Zimbabwe caused one of the upsets of the tournament overnight as they defeated Pakistan by one run in a Perth thriller, almost certainly knocking Pakistan out of semi-final contention.
Zampa sizes up World Cup duel with Moeen Ali
By Daniel Brettig
Two years ago Moeen Ali “got” Adam Zampa, crashing 18 runs off an over to win a Twenty20 for England in Manchester. A couple of weeks ago Zampa returned the favour, dismissing Moeen in Canberra.
Not only will Friday’s MCG World Cup encounter be critical for Australia and England, it also looms as something of a tie-breaker for their duel.
Where Zampa was Australia’s bowler of last year’s T20 World Cup in the UAE, Moeen has become England’s silken sledgehammer in the middle order, using his combination of elegance and power to feast on all bowlers, but particularly spin.
Click here to read more.
Adam Zampa and Moeen Ali.Credit:The Age
The change Australia have to make as Finch searches for a spark
By Mark Taylor
If Aaron Finch was a gambler, Friday night may call for his most daring hand.
There’s no doubt the Australian captain is struggling. You don’t need to be Einstein to work that out. He knows himself. But when it comes to making a change, the die is cast. If the defending champions were going to make a change, they had to do it before a ball was bowled. Now Finch needs to find a spark, and he needs to find it fast.
Click here to read more.
Steve smith (inset) with Aaron Finch.Credit:Getty
Maxwell in line to keep if Wade forced out
Glenn Maxwell appears set to take the gloves for Australia if regular keeper Matthew Wade is ruled out of the match against England due to COVID.
Greetings, everybody
By Ronny Lerner
Hello and welcome to our live, rolling coverage of the blockbuster Group 1 clash between arch rivals Australia and England from the MCG.
Many thought these two pre-tournament favourites wouldn’t be facing a cut-throat match until the semi-final stage of the Twenty20 World Cup.
But after both countries made inauspicious starts to their respective campaigns, they are now both likely fighting for their survival in just their third match of the competition.
Both teams are 1-1, and it would be extremely unlikely for a team to qualify for the final four with two losses in the group stage.
The Aussies find themselves in this situation after being hammered by New Zealand on Saturday, while England are precariously placed after being on the receiving end of one of the biggest upsets in cricket history when they succumbed to minnow neighbours Ireland on Wednesday.
Marcus Stoinis.Credit:Getty Images
