Rain is always a threat in England and the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy has totally proved it. Out of the 12 matches in the group stage, two matches were washed out while the outcome of three matches was decided by Duckworth-Lewis Stern method. And while some have paid a hefty price for the washed out games, some have reaped the rewards for the same.
World champions, Australia’s campaign was totally derailed by the rain, as two of their three games were washed out and they had to leave the tournament at the group stage. On the other hand, Bangladesh, who were on the verge of losing against Australia, were rescued by rain in the second game and made their maiden appearance in the Champions Trophy semifinal by defeating New Zealand in their final group game.
But fortunately, the rain Gods showed mercy on both the semifinals of the tournament. In the first semifinal, Pakistan thrashed hosts England on Wednesday (June 14) while in the second one, defending champions India hammered Bangladesh to set up a mouth-watering clash at The Oval on Sunday (June 18). The high-voltage final clash has already caused a lot of excitement and so the talks of rain spoiling the final has taken the back seat. But considering England’s fickle weather, no one can rule out the possibility of rain.
Moreover, there is the forecast of showers in London, the venue of the final and so there is a high possibility that the final may get washed out too.
during the ICC Champions Trophy match Group B between India and Sri Lanka at The Oval in London on June 08, 2017 (Photo by Kieran Galvin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
There is a reserve day in case the final on June 18 is washed out and the match can be continued the next day from the point it was halted on the actual match day or can start from ball one if the game is washed out completely without a ball being bowled.
But in case, the minimum overs mandatory for a result are not completed even on the reserve day, history will repeat itself, as just like the 2002 edition of the tournament when Sri Lanka and India had shared the trophy, the two finalists will end up sharing the coveted trophy. In the case of a tie, the outcome will be decided by a Super Over and if that is not possible due to rain, the title will be shared.