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The exciting ICC ODI World Cup 2023 has reached its business end with only a couple of games left to be played. Recently, India and New Zealand locked horns in the first semi-final where the Men in Blue got the better of Black Caps and secured a berth in the final.
Now all eyes are on the second semi-final which is scheduled to take place between South Africa and Australia at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 16. Both teams have played sublime cricket throughout the tournament and are likely to entertain fans with a cracker of a game.
What if rain disrupts the match?
Despite the excitement, there is a cloud of uncertainty as weather predictions suggest rain could disrupt the crucial encounter. The possibility of showers hitting Kolkata on Thursday raises concerns about the fate of the match.
In preparation for such a scenario, the ICC has designated Friday, November 17, as a reserve day in case rain plays spoilsport on Thursday. If the reserve day also succumbs to rain, the team that finished higher on the points table during the league stage will secure a spot in the World Cup 2023 final.
Also READ: SA vs AUS, CWC 2023 Semifinal 2 – Broadcast, Live Streaming details – When and Where to Watch in India, South Africa, Australia, US, UK & other countries
In case rain affects the reserve day?
The weather forecast for the reserve day indicates an 80% chance of rain. In the unfortunate event of continuous rain on Friday, South Africa, having finished second in the points table, will advance to the final, setting up a showdown with hosts India on November 19 in Ahmedabad.
Eden Gardens: Venue insights
South Africa have a strong record at Eden Gardens, winning four out of five games played at the venue. Meanwhile, Australia have a respectable record with two victories in three matches. Interestingly, the two cricketing powerhouses have never clashed at Eden Gardens in an ODI match, adding another layer of intrigue to the potential showdown.