In the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022, both the Group 1 crucial encounters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground got washed out due to continuous rain in Melbourne on Friday. A total of 4 games have ended with no result.
So far, apart from a few tough and interesting battles, the tournament this year has been kind of one where net run-rate is going to play a crucial role once the business end starts. Sadly, both Group 1 encounters today at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) have been washed out without a ball being bowled due to rain.
First, the Group 1 clash between Afghanistan and Ireland was abandoned due to persistent rain in Melbourne and later in the day, the high-octane clash between England and Australia was abandoned due to rain. This also included Australia’s high-stakes clash against England in the Super 12 round , which turned out to be a damp after heavy rain washed out the match.
So far, rain has played spoilsport in five T20 World Cup matches.
Meanwhile, fans on Twitter lashed out at the International Council of Cricket (ICC) for potentially spoiling T20 WC matches and not picking better venues.
Here’s how the #T20WorldCup Group 1 standings look after a full day that was rained off in Melbourne ?
Who do you think are now the favourites for the top 2 spots? ?
Check out ? https://t.co/phnXR5PYyu pic.twitter.com/wH4Ss3lRFM
— ICC (@ICC) October 28, 2022
Talking about the points table, four teams in Group 1 are now tied on three points but New Zealand have played one game less and Australia have the worst NRR.
Due to the abandoned game, Australia will need to beat Ireland and Afghanistan with a big margin to qualify for the semifinals of the T20 World Cup. And England will have to win their both the remaining games against New Zealand and Srilanka. England have a better net run rate than Australia so margin of defeat will not be a point of consideration for them.
Though Cricket Fans left angry and also slammed the ICC and the officials for making games scheduled in a rain-affected area.
Here are some of the reactions:
Hello @ICC
Australia aur England me ICC events karana band karo. ??
— Avinash Aryan (@AvinashArya09) October 28, 2022
Play like this @ICC pic.twitter.com/KxaJ4eNtIj
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) October 28, 2022
AUS vs ENG match called off.
NZ vs AFG match called off.
SA vs ZIM match called off.
AFG vs IRE match called off.
Its really Pathetic @ICC ,Better divide the points and share the trophy with all team ,
— shibin (@shibi_meppayour) October 28, 2022
Rainy ICC world cup tournament in australia pic.twitter.com/xlwY68Y5dl
— Rosin Christopher ?? (@Indiancric100) October 28, 2022
Latest news from mcg. Australia have won the toss and choose to swim first pic.twitter.com/LwcR3Fc0K9
— Farhan Ali?️ (@IamFarhan_k) October 28, 2022
There’s literally a closed stadium that can be used. USE YOUR BRAIN @ICC
— joe root stan account (@SabeehaMajid) October 28, 2022
Half the matches are getting abandoned Due to rain, @ICC @CricketAus should have had better plans☝️
— Jeethendra chilukuri (@jeethendra_c) October 28, 2022
Surely, the @ICC must devise a solution for rain-affected games, especially in a major tournament like the World Cup. It’s truly outrageous and completely ruins the purpose of a world cup.
— Melan Dravid (@DravidMelan) October 28, 2022
