It’s time to talk about rain than actually the run-fests were all were prepared for. The Windies boasted too much by showing eagerness — to become the first team to go past the tally of record 500-run landmark. But to all of it, more rain has played a spoilsport by taking the sheen away from the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019. It’s has been frustrating for the teams, management, boards and above all the governing body International Cricket Council (ICC) in itself. Well, the hosting nation England is facing severe criticism for miserably failing to provide ample support in covering the outfield.
So much so, since 31st May as many as four matches ended up without any result. Notably, it has proved to be a dampener for the first fortnight of the twelfth edition of the World Cup.
Above all, this has become a record in the World Cup tourney on seeing most matches being disrupted by the inclement weather. And this eventually sums up as a party pooper with at least seven teams being affected by torrential rains in the England and Wales.
Meanwhile, England, Afghanistan and reigning champions Australia are yet to face any washout game in the ongoing World Cup.
Well, the agony is better described by a meme posted by England’s veteran batsman Kevin Pietersen. He posted a picture of cricketers playing underwater while using oxygen tanks. Interestingly, he has further dubbed the fixture as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 final.
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— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) June 14, 2019
However, the grand finale of the World Cup is scheduled at the iconic Lord’s on July 14. As many as ten teams are partaking in the tournament. It is comprised of a round-robin format.
Eventually, it means that at least teams will wrestle against each other once in the quadrennial event in England.
There is no rocket science behind it that some teams will be benefitted, whereas, some teams will suffer in the league stage fixtures.
Here we recall five occasions when rain plays spoilsport at the ICC events:
Rain puts rust on South Africa at the 1992 World Cup:
Pakistan eased past England in the 1992 World Cup finale, but during the quadrennial event has robbed of South Africa in the semi-final against England due to an infamous revised target. The Proteas required 13-ball 22 before rain halted the game at the Sydney.
Also, following a 12-minute delay, the stupid rule saw South Africa requiring 22 off just one delivery. However, the target was readjusted which reflected the Proteas required 21 off one. Thus, it has quickly helped England to become one of the beneficiaries of rain back in 1992 Benson and Hedges World Cup.
Meanwhile, the rain has also helped Pakistan’s cause before lifting the World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The then Imran Khan-led side beat England by 22 runs in the finale.