South Africa vs Australia, World Cup Semi-final: What happens if rain interrupts the match?

There’s a 43 per cent chance of rain in Kolkata during the 2023 Cricket World Cup second semi-final between South Africa and Australia at Eden Gardens. Both teams are looking to book their place in the final where they are slated to meet India on 19 November. However, what happens if the match gets washed out or if there’s a delay?

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The most important thing is that semi-finals have a Reserve Day, so even if the match gets washed out on the scheduled day of 16 November (Thursday), it can be played on the Reserve Day. If gets washed out on the Reserve Day as well then South Africa will reach the final as they finished ahead of Australia in the points table. Both teams had 14 points but second-placed South Africa finished ahead of third-placed Australia on net run rate.

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In case the rain is not heavy enough for a washout, here are the other playing conditions

As per ICC Playing Conditions, 120 minutes extra time will be given on both scheduled match day and Reserve Day in case of rain before overs start reducing. Overs will be reduced on the basis of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. One over will be deducted for every five minutes lost after the 120-minute grace period is over.

The playing conditions also say that all efforts should be made to complete the match on the scheduled day itself including reducing overs. 20 overs per side is needed to complete a match. In case play is not possible despite reducing overs then the match will be played on the reserve day.

In case the match starts on the scheduled day and overs are subsequently reduced following an interruption, but no further play is possible, the match will resume on the reserve day at the point where the last ball was played.