Brisbane, Australia (BBN)-The inclement weather which was looming large over the fate of today’s ICC World Cup match between Bangladesh and Australia, was finally delayed the play.
“As the forecast for Brisbane has improved somewhat, there is a chance at this stage that play can go ahead today, perhaps with reduced overs,” reads a statement of the ICC.
While that chance exists, match officials will try to give the teams the chance to compete for maximum points as there are no reserve days during the pool stage of the tournament, the statement added.
If the situation remains same till 2:30pm (BST), the match will be declared abandoned by the ICC, expert said.
“Its drizzling at the Gabba. But the sun is not out yet. The latest is that the game can begin is 2:30pm (BST),” said a BCB twitt.
If the rain persists, Bangladesh may miss out on pace test at the Gabba, but one point from a washed out match could prove crucial in the final analysis.
According to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 schedule, the match was expected to begin at 9:30am (BST) at Gabba in Brisbane of Australia on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Michael Bevan and Jonathan Trott said if the game between Australia and Bangladesh is washed out, it could make England’s match against Bangladesh interesting.
Fate of the much-talked about match remained uncertain as Cyclone Marcia brought huge deluge in Gabba, the venue of the match.
In their first World Cup match, Bangladesh exhibited an outstanding performance by defeating Afghanistan by 105 runs in Canberra of Australia on February 18.
Earlier on Friday, the World Cup’s local organising committee released a statement concerning doubts over the match going ahead.
“ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 organisers are working closely with authorities in Queensland regarding tomorrow’s match between Australia and Bangladesh given the extreme weather situation in the State and the forecasts for ongoing rain in Brisbane,” a spokesman said Friday.
“Our thoughts are with the people affected. However as there is no reserve day for pool matches, we will continue to prepare in the hope that the match can go ahead. The ICC match officials will make a decision on the match tomorrow based on conditions at the time,” said a report of espncricinfo.
“A match can be successfully completed if each side has minimum of 20 overs which means that it is still possible to achieve a result with a start after the scheduled innings break,” the report said.
A no-result would be a considerable boost to Bangladesh’s chances of progressing from Group A, particularly after England’s dismantling by New Zealand in Wellington on Friday.
In the backdrop of the situation, Australia’s captain Michael Clarke, due to return on his February 21 deadline to prove he has recovered from hamstring surgery, said, “So as much as we would like to get out on that field and continue our form in the World Cup, we need to realise how bad this cyclone is and care most about the people of Queensland, make sure everybody is healthy and safe and our prayers are with a lot of people throughout the State.
“Then we’ll worry about the cricket tomorrow. If we get on, we’ll be 100% ready there’s no doubt about that.”
On the other hand, Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza said, “We are preparing to play a full match. We don’t want to play a curtailed game as forming a team combination becomes harder.
“We are disappointed with the rain but preparation difficulties have been there for both sides. But they are used to playing in these conditions and missing a few days wouldn’t matter to them,” he said.
Bangladesh’s resounding victory over Afghanistan has hardened their belief that they can repeat their stunning 2005 upset over Cricket World Cup heavyweights Australia.
“Just because Australia are tournament favourites doesn’t mean they can’t be beaten,” man-of-the-match wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim told reporters after his side’s 105-run win over World Cup debutants Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Bangladesh shocked the cricketing world back in 2005 when they beat Australia with four balls to spare in Cardiff.
PITCH AND CONDITIONS
The fringes of Cyclones Marcia and Lam drenched Brisbane on match eve, opening up real doubts about whether the fixture will be able to go ahead in even a limited form.
The Gabba’s drainage system is famously porous, but a pitch that has not seen any sunlight for three days is likely to be green and lively should the showers clear enough for play to go ahead.
TEAMS NEWS
Alongside Clarke’s return, Pat Cummins has been tipped to come in for Josh Hazlewood, though the conditions at the Gabba and the length of the match my also dictate other tweaks to the XI.
Australia (possible) 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Shane Watson, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Steven Smith, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Mitchell Marsh, 8 Brad Haddin (wk), 9 Mitchell Johnson, 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Pat Cummins.
With chance of a curtailed match increasing by the hour, an extra Bangladesh spinner could replace the extra batsman in anticipation of a Twenty20 style contest.
Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Anamul Haque, 3 Soumya Sarkar, 4 Mahmudullah, 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Sabbir Rahman, 8 Taijul Islam, 9 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Taskin Ahmed
BBN/AS/ASI-21Feb15-9:00am (BST)
