AUS vs SA weather updates, World Cup 2023 semifinal: Play resumes after delay; Australia wins by 3 wickets

AUS vs SA, World Cup semifinal: Get all the live updates about the weather in Kolkata ahead of the second semifinal between Australia and South Africa in Kolkata on Thursday.

Ground staff place rain covers on the playing field as a precautionary measure prior to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup semifinal match between Australia and South Africa in Kolkata. | Photo Credit: AP

Match Result

Australia beats South Africa by 3 wickets to advance to the final.

Covers are coming off!

Good news from Kolkata! The covers are being taken off. The restart is scheduled for 3:55 PM IST.

Reserve Day rules explained!

What happens if match is abandoned today? Reserve Day rules explained

Forecast for today

Rain stops play; SA 44/4 (14)

The covers are back on the field as play is stopped for the first time today.

Covers come off for the second time

Ayan Acharya: The covers come off the square for the second time today. Was a precautionary measure anyway as the players and broadcasters never really left the field of play.

The drizzle is back

“The square is under cover again as it starts to drizzle. Not heavy enough for players to go off as they continue training,” says Ayan from Eden Gardens.

Covers are coming off

“With exactly an hour to go for the toss, the groundsmen swing into action. Covers coming off at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Covers are coming off the square now,” Ayans tells us.

What happens if there is no play possible today?

Umpires will make every possible attempt to complete the match on the scheduled day. If play is interrupted on the scheduled day, the umpires will use extra time and reduce the number of overs to try and achieve a result. Each team must bat for a minimum of 20 overs for a result to be achieved. If play has not resumed by the cut-off time required to allow the minimum number of overs, play shall be abandoned for the day and the Reserve Day shall be used.

Rain stays away, fans come in

“Fans have slowly started to trickle in while the covers remain firmly in place with just over an hour to go for the toss. No rain yet,” says Ayan.

Eden under covers

“It’s very overcast now. Whole ground is under covers. It’s not raining now. But can’t rule out a late start,” Ayan tells us from the Kolkata.

When does the match begin?

The Australia vs South Africa semifinal match is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM IST in Kolkata. The toss is supposed to be held at 1:30 PM IST.

Grim forecast

Drizzling in Kolkata

Our reporter from the venue Ayan Acharya tells us that it has started drizzling in Kolkata.

What’s at stake?

The winner of the match will face India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The Men in Blue booked their spot in the final after thrashing New Zealand by 70 runs in the first semifinal in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Who’s playing today?

Australia and South Africa will face off in the second semifinal of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday.