Heavy rain continued in Sydney ahead of the first semifinal of the Women's T20 World Cup on Thursday. The match, between India and England, was scheduled to start by 9.30am IST (3pm local time), but the toss has been delayed, raising concern the match could be curtailed.
The official Twitter handle for the Women's T20 World Cup informed that to complete a curtailed game of 10 overs a side, the toss would have to be held by 4.36pm (local time) or 11.06 IST.
The ESPNCricinfo correspondent at the Sydney Cricket Ground reported the conditions were "wet and miserable" and prospects for the game between India and England were "very slim".
A washout would mean India would proceed to the final on Sunday as they had topped their group stage.
The second semifinal, between Australia and South Africa, will also be played at Sydney on Thursday and is scheduled to begin by 1.30pm IST.
If the second semifinal also gets washed out, then South Africa would qualify for the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, given their higher points tally in the group stage.
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Ironically, the ICC had rejected a request from Cricket Australia to have a reserve day for the semifinals.
Cricket Australia chief Kevin Roberts on Wednesday revealed that the apex body declined the request under tournament rules.
"We've asked the question (on a reserve day)," Cricket Australia chief Kevin Roberts was quoted as saying on the radio station SEN. "It's not part of the playing conditions and we respect that. We're optimistic based on the drainage at the SCG combined with a weather forecast that is not perfect but not terrible either," he added.
