When Mike Atherton mentions different Playing Conditions (PCs) for the two semifinals, he is only emphasising the variance between those in play for the first and second matches. As first reported by Cricbuzz on May 14, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has allotted extra time for the India-England game so that it can be completed on Thursday itself. The ‘no reserve day’ for the second semifinal is to ensure the winner of that game doesn’t have a play-travel-play schedule with the final scheduled on Saturday. The same rule, though, is not there for the first semifinal.
“There is also additional time available to ensure the completion of all knockout fixtures at the semi-final and final stage of the event,” the ICC has said. “A total of 250 minutes of additional time is available for both semi-finals, with the first semi-final on June 26 scheduled to have 60 minutes available at the end of the day’s play with a further 190 minutes available on June 27. The second semi-final on June 27 has an additional 250 minutes available on the scheduled day, while the final on June 29 has a reserve day on June 30.”
The underlying facts of the statement are that if there is rain during the first semifinal between South Africa and Afghanistan, scheduled for 8:30 PM local time on Wednesday, the match can be extended by an hour or moved to the afternoon of Thursday, after the India semifinal is complete. However, if the India game in Georgetown were to be affected by rain, there is a possibility that both semifinals will be played simultaneously.
Says the relevant rule, “The total additional playing time for the reserve day of semi-final 1 shall be 190 minutes. Therefore, if there is no play on the first day, any further delays will result in a loss of overs. There shall be a maximum of 250 minutes allocated to the scheduled day of semi-final 2, with no reserve day.”
Asked about it, India skipper Rohit Sharma said, “We don’t know what’s going to happen. The only thing I’m worried about is if the game goes on until pretty late, we have a charter flight. We might miss that flight, but that’s okay.”
Further the rules for the semifinal state that minimum 10 overs must be played by each side for a game to constitute as a match. The Appendix G of the PCs state:
“If play is interrupted on the scheduled day, the umpires shall use the available extra time and, if necessary, reduce the number of overs to try to achieve a result on that day.
“In making their decisions in relation to ground, weather and light, the umpires shall aim to maximise play on the scheduled day of the match in order to achieve a result on that day, as if there was no Reserve Day available.
“Each team must have had the opportunity to bat for a minimum of ten (10) 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 to be bowled to achieve a result on the scheduled day, play shall be abandoned for the day and the Reserve Day shall be used to either complete or replay the match.
Further, the PCs clarify that if India qualify for the semifinal, they will play in Guyana, a point that has not gone down well, with experts from England stating that their team had to wait for the completion of the India-Australia game to know where they will play.
India will qualify for the final if a game is not possible in Guyana, by virtue of topping the group. But if the final also faces a similar fate of abandonment, the finalists will be declared joint winners. Here go the relevant clauses:
16.10.7 Semi Final
a) If a Semi-Final is tied, the teams shall compete in a Super Over to determine which team progresses to the Final. Refer to clause 16.3.1.2 and Appendix F.
b) If following a tie, weather conditions prevent the Super Over from being completed, or if the match is abandoned or a no result, then the team that finished first in its Second Round Group will progress to the Final.
16.10.8 Final
a) In the event of a tied final, the teams shall compete in a Super Over to determine which team is the winner.
b) If following a tie, weather conditions prevent the Super Over from being completed, or if the match is abandoned or a no result, the teams shall be declared joint winners.
