Match abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain (no toss)
It's time to bring the curtains down on a frustrating, rainy day. Tune in tomorrow for another Group 1 game - New Zealand vs Sri Lanka at the SCG where there's no rain forecast. See you there. For now, goodbye...
Jos Buttler: Was supposed to be a massive occasion, full house here against Australia, biggest game of your career, very disappointed not to be able to play tonight. Would have been a great place to do it (100th game). But full focus on our next match and keep our tournament alive. We've been playing some good cricket leading into the tournament. Really disappointing the other night specially when we had majority of things in our favour. We don't become a bad team overnight. We are full of match-winners. Looking forward to the rest of the tournament. The guys are rested up well and we were ready to play tonight as well. Few days now to clear everything out, have a couple of good training days and then look forward to the next game.
Aaron Finch: The outfield has taken a drenching over the last couple of weeks. That's the wettest I've ever seen in this stadium. The run-ups were a really issue and around the inner circle, it were very wet. It's more about players' safety. We saw one of the Zimbabweans go down the other day. If you are trying to run there, it's going to be a real issue. Everyone was ready to play, there was a great turnout, disappointing not to get on. The amount of rain that Melbourne has had has been amazing. He (Wade) was going to play tonight. He had few symptoms yesterday but he was good to go. You got to try and win firstly. Then you try and push for the NRR. You can never underestimate Ireland and Afghanistan. They've got some world-class players. You can overplay the situation at times and that takes you focus off your job at hand. We'll control what we can.
20:48 Local Time, 09:48 GMT, 15:18 IST: "Handshakes all around," informs Ganesh. And ... here's the expected update. Match abandoned! There was no rain for around 90 minutes and there were a couple of inspections with the umpires concerned about the damp spots. Then the heavens opened up to extinguish any hopes of a contest. Both the Group 1 encounters today at the MCG have been washed out. The points will be shared. Four teams are now tied on three points but New Zealand have played one game lesser and Australia have the worst NRR. This group is wide open. Rain has played spoilsport in five games. Who'll make it to the semis? Well, given the way this competition has gone, your guess is as good as mine. The Aussie players are out to sign autographs and take a few selfies with the fans.
20:44 Local Time, 09:44 GMT, 15:14 IST: Pretty steady rain now. That could be it for the day given how wet the outfield was already.
20:35 Local Time, 09:35 GMT, 15:05 IST: It's started to rain again, now! The game is highly likely to be called off. It's been that sort of a day. We'll keep you updated...
20:25 Local Time, 09:25 GMT, 14:55 IST: Next inspection at 20:50 Local Time. The umpires had another inpection, with Aleem Dar still unsure about many of the damp spots around the ground. Still no rain, but we'll have to wait to see if the ground gets ready on time.
Anindya: First time in my life, I felt like I am watching cricket in England instead of Australia. Never seen such washouts in Australia. -- "That's because we have had very few matches played before November in Australia. And, this time it's mainly because of La Nina weather phenomenon in Pacific Ocean, resulting in storms and rainfall. AUS has been hit by this phenomenon from time to time. And also by the Indian Ocean Dipole."
Paras: If not for these rain interruptions, this T20 World Cup could be one of the best till now given how lower ranked teams have performed and competed. So many close encounters and then India-Pak thriller. Can't remember any ICC tournament where we witnessed such nail biters.
19:40 Local Time, 08:40 GMT, 14:10 IST: There appears to be a lot of damp spots inside the circle. Australian players have been checking out an area in the bowlers' run up, and so have the umpires. They've had a long chat with both Finch and Buttler. Next inspection at 20:15 PM Local Time.
19:30 Local Time, 08:30 GMT, 14:00 IST: A flurry of activity around the ground, rain has stopped for a while now. Inspection is happening now.
Ramnath: This could be the last match interrupted due to rain. The next match in Melbourne will be the last match of Super 12 (Ind vs Zim) and final. Hope upcoming matches will provide results in this tournament
Rahul: @Mustafa: Don't forget that England lost their match against Ireland. I guess Australia won't get an easy victory against Ireland.
Rayappa: Very dissapointing to see the matches are washed off in these very important of T20 World Cup. There must be some alternative to resolve these problems.
Mustafa Moudi: If this match gets washed out, then guess Australia would be more happier side despite the fact that both the sides will end up with equal points and England's NRR being much better than that of Australia. This is because Australia's next matches are against Ireland and Afghanistan!!
19:01 Local Time, 08:01 GMT, 13:31 IST: "Cheers around the ground as the covers are being peeled off. Rain has stopped for now," pings Ganesh. Yaay!
Glenn Maxwell: (On Stoinis's knock) It was just incredible. We know he has that sort of power but for him to come out, conditions weren't great for batting, the way he started off with that intent was outstanding. That's what we've always talked about - the middle-order trying to have an impact on the game regardless of how many balls it is and he certainly did that. The fact the was able to see it through to the end and break the fastest fifty record for Australia was awesome to watch. (On his batting) I feel like I've peaked at the right time. Before the tournament started, we had 15 games in six weeks and the guys were pretty tired and cooked after a lot of travel around the world. To be able to come into the tournament, hit the ball really well in the practice game and then to start off quite nice in the first two games is exciting. (On tonight's game) We are all quite galvanised by the other night knowing that no matter what situation we find ourselves in, we've got guys that can play the role and win the game from any position. We probably weren't at our brilliant best in all our three facets but we feel like we're getting closer and closer to that perfect game. I noticed that no one else was doing any wicketkeeping practice, so I thought while I was at Kookaburra to grab a set of gloves. I'm pretty sure Wade will be fine tonight.
18:30 Local Time, 07:30 GMT, 13:00 IST: Toss has been delayed. And there's still steady rain. "The rain is starting to come little bit stronger right now. It's got to stop raining for a little bit of time as well because the ground is very damp and quite moist under foot. Everyone's got their fingers crossed. Right now, it's looking doom and gloom," says Shane Watson. There'll be an inspection at 19:30 local, about an hour from now. 21:46 Local Time (10:46 GMT, 16:16 IST) is the latest when the game (5-over encounter) can start.
"I think we should let it hurt. I think days like today are really, really disappointing, and you've got to feel that. There's no point in saying let's sweep it under the carpet and move on." These were Jos Buttler's words at the post-match press conference after their loss against Ireland. They kick-started their campaign in style with their bowlers skittling out Afghanistan for 112, but the going hasn't been smooth for the ODI champions post that. They huffed and puffed to chase down that total and were clearly outplayed in all three facets of the game against Balbirnie's men. England have lost all their four T20Is here at the MCG and they'll be keen to break that jinx. Buttler and Co. tasted success against their arch rivals by winning the T20I series in the lead up to this competition. What's in store today?
18:15 Local Time, 07:15 GMT, 12:45 IST: Here's an update from Ganesh Chandrasekaran, who is at the MCG - "In case you're wondering if the rain has cleared up, it hasn't. Spurts of heavy showers so the covers are still on. The umpires are just walking out to have a look. Still looks pretty bad."
Today's first game (Afghanistan vs Ireland) at the MCG was abandoned due to rain and the forecast for this duel isn't promising either. We've already had three 'No Results' in this World Cup and two of them have been here at the 'G'. If this game gets washed out, it'd hurt the Aussies more as they have the worst Net Run Rate in Group 1. Yes, the defending champions come into this match on the back of a convincing win over the Asian champions, but they have a few issues to address - especially their bowling at the death and runs from their top-three. Matthew Wade, the only established wicketkeeper in the squad, was tested positive for Covid but he's expected to play although Maxwell was seen practising with the keeper's gloves yesterday. Will Zampa be back? Can Cameron Green find a spot in the XI?
18:00 Local Time, 07:00 GMT, 12:30 IST: In 1971, the first-ever Limited Overs International game took place. With the first three days of the Test being washed out, the authorities hurriedly arranged an ODI (40 eight-ball overs per side). Fast forward to 2022, the oldest rivals of this game are all set to face-off against each other at the same venue. Hello everyone and a warm welcome to this mouth-watering Group 1 encounter. It's Australia versus England at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Both teams - who were touted as tournament favourites - have won one and lost one. Today's winner will not only jump to the top spot on the points table but also keep their semi-final fate in their own hands. But there's a major threat....
Overview
On paper, this was a straightforward group. Australia were the overwhelming favourites to finish first. England were tipped to join them in the semifinals. But a few games into the Super 12 stage, both teams are uncertain about their progression. New Zealand's stunning win on the opening night of Super 12 and Ireland's spirited showing against England have thrown this group wide open. While New Zealand will fancy their chances of progression after toppling the hosts, it has now gotten to a stage where only one among Australia and England might progress barring another late twist. Friday's (October 28) contest is pivotal in that regard as the winner is all set to dent the loser's semifinal hopes.
The fact that this marquee clash is being staged at the MCG adds to the build up. The India-Pakistan game did live up its billing last Sunday and it remains to be seen if these two sides can come up with something similar to rival that. For Australia, there are issues to be addressed up top. David Warner has surprisingly failed in both the games so far and to top it, Aaron Finch and Mitchell Marsh haven't come up with the runs as well. If not for a whirlwind effort from Marcus Stoinis, the hosts would have struggled against Sri Lanka. The bowlers did redeem themselves against the island nation after being hammered by New Zealand but Pat Cummins in particular needs a good outing.
England on the other hand will be livid with themselves for letting Ireland scrape through with a win. Rain arrived just in time when Moeen Ali looked to blaze away but the loss was still England's own undoing as their batsmen came with a sloppy effort. Just like Warner, England's Jos Buttler too has endured rare failures so far and there is no bigger stage than this to set that right. Having said that, parallels with that India-Pakistan game can be drawn in regards to the weather as well. Rain is once again expected to make an appearance but if it can stay clear like it did on Sunday, we can anticipate a cracker.
When: England vs Australia, Super 12, October 28, 7 PM local time, 1:30 PM IST
Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
What to expect: Seamers have found a lot of success so far at the MCG this tournament. Expect a spicy battle between the two pace attacks in that case. However, this venue has already witnessed a washout and rain is indeed expected on matchday.
Team Watch
England
Tactics & Matchups: With the surface aiding seamers so far at the MCG, England should fancy their chances against the Australian top three, who are on the lookout for runs. Adam Zampa might draw in on his experience of bowling at the MCG over the years for Melbourne Stars but England do have a left-heavy batting lineup to negate his threat.
Probable XI: Jos Buttler (C & WK), Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Australia
Injured/Unavailable: Adam Zampa got sidelined with Covid in the Sri Lanka game but it looks like he will be back in the fold now. Matthew Wade has now been tested positive but he is expected to play as well.
Tactics & Matchups: As good as Josh Hazlewood is with the new ball, he is also a better bet than Pat Cummins at the death as evidenced in recent times. Perhaps, allowing Cummins to bowl his overs up front and in the middle and preserving Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood for the death is something Aaron Finch can ponder against a long batting line up like the one England have.
Probable XI: Aaron Finch (C), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Did you know?
Aaron Finch is the leading rungetter (619 runs) in T20Is between Australia and England at an average of 47.61. On the other hand, David Warner averages just 21.07 against England.
Stoinis's batting against spin has improved big time recently. He has been remarkable against leg spin this year averaging 83 and scoring at 191. In the recent series against England, he smashed 26 off 11 balls he faced from Adil Rashid having had a negative matchup against him before the series; 20 balls - 16 runs - 3 dismissals.
What they said:
"The group is wide open because any team can win on any day. That's the thing about T20; you can't take anything for granted in a game. Afghanistan, they're a really skillful, talented side. Ireland have got the skills there. Sri Lanka on a day can beat anyone as well. So, I think the group was always going to be wide open, and it's a tough group to get through, no doubt." - Australian skipper Aaron Finch reflects on the group after Ireland's win over England
"I thought his bowling has been a real bonus for us. I think a lot of people probably underestimate his bowling coming into this tournament. And he's been key for us. I think he's bowled some big overs particularly in the power play. With the bat, he hasn't come off yet. But his career would suggest that at some point someone's going to pay a price and hopefully that's Australia in a day's time." - England head coach Matthew Mott on Ben Stokes' role in the T20 side
Squads:
Australia Squad: David Warner, Aaron Finch(c), Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade(w), Pat Cummins, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa, Cameron Green, Steven Smith
England Squad: Jos Buttler(w/c), Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Philip Salt, Tymal Mills, David Willey, Chris Jordan