Weather forecast for Thursday’s semi final is a worry. Friday the reserve day is even worse.
Australia are set to take on South Africa in the second semi-final on Thursday with their battle taking place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
It’s there where cyclonic conditions could develop with serious fears the weather system could wreak havoc on the World Cup clash.
The current forecast suggests a 60 per cent chance of rain on Thursday with that figure increasing to 90 per cent on Friday.
If the Thursday game is washed out, the reserve day for the contest is Friday … which looking at the forecast looks even less unlikely to play host to a match
India defeated New Zealand by 70 runs overnight to reach the Cricket World Cup final for the first time since 2011, thanks to centuries to Virat Kohli (117) and Shreyas Iyer (105) and a 7-wicket haul by player of the match Mohammed Shami. Kohli made his 50th ODI century, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 tons.
New Zealand made a strong chase of the 398 target, through a 181-run partnership between Kane Williamson (69) and Daryl Mitchell (134), then a 75-run stand between Mitchell and Glenn Phillips who made 41, however the Black Caps lost their last six wickets for 32 runs in six overs.
If India win Sunday’s final, they will match Australia’s unbeaten record in a Cricket World Cup - 11 wins from 11 matches, set in 2003 and 2007.
Australia will meet India in Sunday’s World Cup final after a tense three-wicket win over South Africa in Kolkata overnight, under the threat of a cyclone.
South Africa lost their first four wickets cheaply, thanks to brilliant bowling by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood, before David Miller (101) and Heinrich Klassen (47) rescued the innings with a crucial 95-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Travis Head took two wickets (Klassen then Marco Jansen) in two balls in the 31st over, before Miller and Gerald Coetzee put on 53 for the 7th wicket. Pat Cummins took three of the final four wickets as the Proteas were dismissed for 212 in 49.4 overs.
In the run chase, Head and David Warner put on a quickfire 60 in the first six overs, before South Africa fought back with key wickets of Warner for 29 and Mitchell Marsh for a duck. The innings then turned into a see-sawing battle, with the Aussies putting runs on the board but losing wickets in regular intervals. Glenn Maxwell, who made an amazing 201 in the match against Bangladesh, only scored a 1. Starc and Cummins combined to guide their side to the target with 16 balls to spare.
It will be Australia’s eighth appearance in a men’s ODI World Cup final.
It will be a big night when India take on Australia in the cricket World Cup final. May the best team win. We will see a 135,000 strong crowd at Ahmedabad Stadium.
Brilliant bowling and fielding helped Australia to restrict the home side to just 240 on a slow pitch.
Australia were in trouble at 3/47, but Head and Labuschagne (58 not out) put on a 192-run partnership which helped their team reaching the target with seven overs to spare.
Virat Kohli was named player of the tournament for scoring 765 runs across 11 matches.
What a year for Australian cricket. Beating India twice in two ICC Finals and silencing a nation of 1.4 billion people on their home deck to win our 6th ODI World Cup. Pat Cummins electing to field instead of batting paid off when we won the toss
