SA vs AUS: CWC 2023 semi-final 2 reserve day rules explained

Semi-final 2 of the ICC Cricket World Cup, SA vs AUS has a reserve day on Friday (17th November).

Australia got off to a great start against the Proteas at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. South Africa lost four early wickets as captain Temba Bavuma departed on a duck while Quinton De Kock was dismissed for just 3 runs. Aiden Markram also got out after scoring 10 runs. Rassie Van der Dussen was dismissed for 6. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have provided Australia with much-needed early breakthroughs in the game under overcast conditions. 

South African skipper Teamba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat first under clouds sensing the wicket will be dry. However, the heavy weather conditions have provided Australia an opportunity to dominate the Proteas. Kolkata might witness intense showers in the evening and there is possibility of the game going to the reserve day scheduled on Friday. Reserve days are kept for both semi-final and final games of the World Cup 2023. 

Reserve day rules explained

The International Cricket Council (ICC) didn’t keep a reserve day for the league round games but with a precautionary approach, they have kept reserve days for the three knockout games in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. If the weather conditions don’t permit the game to be played on the game day (16th November, Thursday,) the game will be moved to the reserve day (17th November, Friday). However, the priority will always be to get a possible result on the scheduled match day.

In case rain arrives, the umpires will first give priority to finishing the game today and may resume even if 20-overs-a-side game looks possible or even when a result looks possible. But in case the rain persists and the game can’t resume, umpires will decide to take the game into reserve day. Semi-final between India and New Zealand in World Cup 2019 was taken to reserve day due to heavy rain in Manchester on the scheduled day. 

In case no action is possible even on the reserve day as well, then a team that ranks higher in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 points table will go on to play in the final. South Africa and Australia both won 7 matches in the group stage and registered 14 points to their name. But with a better NRR, South Africa are placed at 2nd spot in the table, hence if the play isn’t possible on the reserve day, South Africa will go through to the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 as higher ranked side.

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