WC 2015 NZ vs SA: Rain gods may keep South Africa away from the World Cup final
Auckland: As the rain continues to fall at Eden Park in Auckland, South Africa look to be in a commanding position after 38 overs with the loss of three wickets and 216 on the board. New Zealand though wouldn’t mind this break as they now have a chance to regroup and come back with an effective plan where Faf du Plesis (82*) and AB de Villiers (60*) will be looking to take the attack back at the Kiwi bowlers from the word go.
Play doesn’t look to resume anytime early as there’s still a slight drizzle in Auckland.
If the match is not completed today, there is a reserve day tomorrow with play resuming from where it stops. #cwc15 #PlayingConditions
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 24, 2015The weather in this part of the country is notoriously changeable, unpredictable and forecasts for Tuesday, and for the reserve day on Wednesday, have fluctuated in recent days. By Monday the chance of rain had grown to 60 per cent and the official forecast was for scattered showers.
Check out: Of maths and rains, South Africa – the prey
The forecast for the reserve day is more favorable with warm temperatures and no mention of rain. World Cup rules specify that every attempt must be made to complete at least a 20-overs contest if a match in the knockout rounds is affected by rain. The regulations allow for a game that has begun on a scheduled match day to be completed on the reserve day.
If overs are lost today, and then a further interruption pushes us into tomorrow, the match will continue to be a curtailed one. #CWC15
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 24, 2015If no play is possible on either day, the team that was ranked highest after pool play will progress. That means that New Zealand, unbeaten in Pool A, will advance if weather prevents the semifinal being completed.
If over two days we don't get a result, New Zealand will go through by the virtue of having finished higher in the group stages. #CWC15
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 24, 2015Currently, the first semifinal looks to be losing overs. If overs are lost on Tuesday, and then a further interruption pushes the game to the next day, the match will continue to be a curtailed one. At any rate if the interruption is long enough to not allow South Africa bat any further, the target for New Zealand is likely to be 264 in 38 overs.
The covers look to be coming off and here's the latest update from the match.
Umpires have confirmed we will be reduced to 43 Overs a side, pending any further interruptions: Starting at 6.45pm local time #NZvSA #cwc15
— ICC (@ICC) March 24, 2015