Rain Threatens South Africa vs Australia Semifinal in ICC World Cup 2023

In the upcoming second semifinal at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, Australia will confront South Africa, who, with an equivalent seven-win record, secured the second spot in the standings owing to a superior net run rate. Meanwhile, Australia is ranked third in the points table with 7 wins and 2 losses. 

Australia, having secured a spot in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semifinals, faces a potential setback in Kolkata on November 16 due to adverse weather conditions. Despite a strong group stage performance with seven victories, Pat Cummins’ team landed in third place in the World Cup rankings. The match outcome may be influenced by the unpredictable Kolkata weather.

Rain to play a spoilsport?

A significant weather development looms as the latest IMD-GFS model predicts the formation of a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal by November 15. Presently, North Odisha and West Bengal are projected to be in the probable path of the cyclone. This weather disturbance raises concerns for the semifinal between Australia and South Africa in the World Cup 2023, scheduled for November 16, with the latest forecast hinting at a potential washout due to the impending cyclone. Cricket enthusiasts and organizers are closely monitoring the situation as the cyclone’s trajectory could impact the crucial semifinal match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

October experienced the emergence of two cyclones, one in the Bay of Bengal and another in the Arabian Sea. Typically, cyclones develop in these seas between October and December. By November 14th, a low-pressure system is projected to materialize over the southeast Bay of Bengal, anticipated to progress in a west-northwest direction. Subsequently, it is poised to intensify into a depression over the Central and adjoining South Bay of Bengal around November 16th.

The match will be played the next day on 17th November, the reserve day in case the match is not played on 16th. In the event that the reserve day also faces a washout, the ICC has outlined contingency plans. The Duckworth-Lewis method, a statistical tool for recalibrating target scores in rain-affected matches, will be deployed to determine the victor. However, if the conditions render the Duckworth-Lewis method impractical, the match will be declared a ‘no result.’ Should both semi-finals meet this fate, teams advancing to the final will be decided based on their higher standing in the group stage points table, underscoring the unpredictability rain can inject into crucial cricket fixtures. In this case, South Africa will qualify for the final as they are placed above Australia in the points table. 

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