Melbourne weather forecast, Australia vs England: Match abandoned due to wet outfield at MCG

Match abandoned due to rain. England and Australia share points and Jos Buttler’s men climb to the second spot while Australia moves to the fourth spot.

Rain returns to the ‘G’. Morose scenes as another inspection was due in about seven minutes. Absolutely pouring down now and we’re headed towards another abandoned game. The covers are back on at the centre.

“Match officials having a long, long discussion with Aaron Finch and Jos Buttler. Next inspection at 8.50 PM (3:20PM IST),” our correspondent Shayan reports. Next inspection at 8.50pm

The umpires have decided to have another inspection at 8:15PM local time which is about 20 minutes from now.

The covers have been removed at the MCG as the rains relent. The outfield, however, has taken a beating and the groundsmen will have some work to do before we could think of the toss. And, hopefully the rains will stay away.

NEXT INSPECTION: The match officials will make an inspection of the field in about an hour at 2PM IST (7:30PM local time) if the rain stays away, our correspondent Shayan Acharya reports from MCG.

England vs Australia toss has been delayed by the rain at MCG.

Afghanistan v Ireland has been abandoned without a ball being bowled. Second full washout in the Super 12 stage.

Nothing new to report, really. Rains continue and so does the wait. While we are at it, why not glance through what the DLS method is all about? Since it seems it’ll be in use more and more as this tournament progresses. Click here to know all about it - What is Duckworth-Lewis method in cricket

Murky weather and the wait continues.

The toss of Friday’s first match between Afghanistan and Ireland at the MCG has been delayed due to rain.

The threat of rain interruptions hovers over Friday’s 2022 T20 World Cup Super 12 match between England and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Melbourne experienced relentless showers on Wednesday, which forced the abandonment of New Zealand v Afghanistan match and handed a famous five-run win to Ireland over England via DLS method.

According to Bureau of Meteorology, there’s a 90 per cent chance of rain in Melbourne on Friday. “Cloudy. High (80%) chance of showers in the west, very high (95%) chance of showers in the east,” the website stated.

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According to the tournament regulations, teams will split points if no play is possible. There are no reserve days in place for the league matches. However, semifinals and final have a reserve day.

England and Australia have each bagged one win, and suffered one loss, and cannot afford to lose another, with New Zealand already having three points after a win and a washout and the added advantage of a huge Net Run Rate. Assuming that those three teams can take care of their various assignments against Afghanistan, Ireland and Sri Lanka – there is always a caveat – an England defeat on Friday could see them get knocked out. An Australian loss would leave them needing England to lose to New Zealand, in order to tussle with England on Net Run Rate.

Australia and England would hope the skies clear up in time and rains don’t play spoilsport.