ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: The semi-final between India and New Zealand will resume on Wednesday in Manchester (AP Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- The 1st semi-final of World Cup 2019 has been moved into the reserve day after rain forced play to be suspended
- This is the first time an ICC World Cup knock-out match has suffered this fate
- The final of the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy was also moved to a reserve day
The 1st semi-final of the World Cup 2019 between India and New Zealand had to be moved into the reserve day after persistent rain didn't allow any further play from happening on Tuesday after 46.1 overs of New Zealand's batting innings. The Black Caps had scored 211/5 when players were forced off the field as covers came onto the pitch.
This is the first instance ever in World Cup history that a knock-out match has been forced to move into the reserve day. In the 1979 edition, a number of matches were played on reserve days due to rain but none of them were knockout games. The only ICC tournament knock-out game that was required to be played on a reserve day remains the final of the 2002 Champions Trophy when finalists India and Sri Lanka had to share the trophy after rain didn't allow the match to be completed even on the extra day.
As far as the World Cup 2019 semi-final between India and New Zealand is concerned, the match will recommence on Wednesday (July 10) at 10.30am BST (15.00pm IST), weather permitting, with gates opening at 08.30am BST (13.00 IST).
The game will continue where it was halted - New Zealand will complete their 50-over innings and India will then complete their 50-over innings, weather permitting. The match may be shortened dependent on conditions.
For the match to be completed, India are required to bat for at least 20 overs. If after the reserve day the match has still not reached a result, India will progress to the final given their higher finishing position in the group stage.
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