The semi-finals for the Women's World Cup are at risk of being affected by rain, with six matches in the group stage abandoned due to wet weather. Here's what will happen if the semi-finals are washed out.
What are the forecasts for the two semi-finals?
The first semi-final, which will be between England and South Africa in Guwahati, looks less likely to be affected by weather. All three matches which have so far been played in Guwahati have brought results, and the weather for Wednesday (October 29), looks mostly set fair. However, there is a risk of rain throughout the scheduled match time. The chance of rain during the game is set at 25 per cent by AccuWeather, with humidity at 63 per cent.
The forecast for the second semi-final, between India and Australia in Navi Mumbai, looks more threatening. The final group game of the tournament, between India and Bangladesh, was washed out at the DY Patil stadium on October 26, and the forecast is similar for Thursday's game. AccuWeather has the chances of rain at 90 per cent, and the probability of thunderstorms at 22 per cent.
What will happen if either semi-final is washed out?
Both semi-finals have reserve days, which are scheduled for the day after the designated semi-final day – so on Thursday, October 30 for the first semi-final, and Friday, October 31 for the second. While the ICC Playing Conditions state “every effort will be made to complete the match on the scheduled day with any necessary reduction in overs,” the match will be continued into the reserve day if a result is not possible.
Also cited in the playing conditions are scenarios around over reductions. If a 50-over game is interrupted by rain on the scheduled semi-final day and the match is reduced in overs, if no further play takes place after the reduction of overs then the match will be reverted to a 50-over game when resumed on the reserve day. If play does resume on the designated day after overs are reduced, and then rain returns and play is abandoned, the reduction of overs will be carried over to the reserve day. The minimum overs needed for a result is 20 per side.
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In the case that rain also washes out the reserve day, the team which finished on higher points in the group table will progress to the final. That means that England will advance to the final from the first semi-final, and Australia from the second.
There is also a reserve day for the final, again the day after it's scheduled to be played on November 2 in Navi Mumbai. The weather forecast on AccuWeather currently predicts scattered showers for the final and intermittent rain on the reserve day. If both the final and its reserve day are washed out, the trophy will be shared.
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