Since the ODI World Cup 2023 has reached the knockout stages, reserve days come into play for the semi-finals on November 15 and 16 and then the final on November 19. While there is virtually no chance they will be needed when India takes on New Zealand. In Mumbai, there is a chance that rain could affect the clash between Australia and South Africa in Kolkata, so here’s a rundown of how things work out.
Well, as always, it depends on which website you look at, but there is certainly a reasonable threat of rain playing a role. At the moment, Friday seems the most problematic day, since Thursday, the scheduled day of the semi-final, is expected to have around a 50% chance of rain.
When does the reservation day come into play?
If a match is not completed on the scheduled day and the reserve day is used, there are basically two scenarios for how the match is played depending on when the last rain interruption arrives.
Courtesy of the ICC playing conditions, here are two practical examples:
Example 1: The match starts with 50 overs per side and there is a break with 19 overs. The overs are reduced to 46 overs per side and play is about to resume. Before throwing another ball, it rains and the game is suspended for that day. As the match was not resumed with the revised overs, the match must continue on the reserve day with the original 50 overs per side and reduced overs if necessary during the reserve day.
Example 2: Same start as example 1, i.e. the match starts with 50 overs per side and there is a break with 19 overs. The overs are reduced to 46 overs per side and play is about to resume. This time, the game begins and after an over is bowled, it rains and the game is suspended for the day. Once play has resumed, it continues on the reserve day at 46 overs per side and the overs are further reduced if necessary during the reserve day.
What happens if there is no result?
If a minimum of 20 overs per team cannot be played over the two days and the match is inconclusive, the team that finished best in the group stage will advance to the final. That means it will be South Africa who progress to the decider in Ahmedabad on November 19 (where rain is highly unlikely).