11.30pm That's that! Thanks for joining us today. We will be back tomorrow, where Australia take on Sri Lanka in Perth. Till then, on behalf of PDP and Chandan, this is me Ashish signing off.
11.15pm Both teams take a point each! Well, that sums up cricket, doesn't it. To be fair to the umpires, they did try to stretch the game for as long as possible. In the end, rain came down hard enough. You could understand the frustration of the Zimbabwe players too. They saw Richard Ngarava limp off gingerly, Muzarabani and Jongwe did not bowl, and eventually it was Sean Williams, who I believe said 'this is a World Cup', that prompted the umpires to say - yep that's enough. Quinton de Kock,on his part, tried his best to chase down the target. He carted 23 runs off the first over, 17 off the second to finish with 47* off 18. In the end, it didn't matter.
George: "The problem is not just the point lost, but the RR missed. South Africa would have had a very big RR. If it comes to RR to decide who goes through, it would be very cruel."
Dishari: "As much as this hurt to see the covers coming on again with South Africa seconds away from a victory, but Zimbabwe have not been able to bowl Muzarabani and Jongwe in these slippery wet conditions. They already lost Ngarava bowling in the rainy condition. Hope it is not too serious to miss the rest of the world cup. Either way seems unfair for the teams - cricket should be played indoors?" Agree
Called off! Rain and South Africa - a story for the ages. Rain wins again.
The rain has come down hard and the umpires are calling on for the covers. Is rain going to rob South Africa at a World Cup again? The cut-off time is in eight minutes. South Africa are ahead as far as the five-over DLS target is concerned. So, essentially, if the rain relents, they just need to come out, not even face a ball; just get the ground ready and get ready to bowl; doesn't matter if it rains after that
Dru: "After winning the toss Zim should have bowled. When there is rain around chasing is much easier. A big opportunity missed."
END OF OVER:9 | 15 Runs 1 Wkt | ZIM: 79/5 | RR: 8.77
- Wessly Madhevere35 (18b)
- Anrich Nortje2-0-10-1
- Kagiso Rabada2-0-20-0
10.26 pm A feisty finish by Zimbabwe after a dreadful start. Will be a tricky chase for South Africa, though they will be favored. Stay tuned for the reply when Ashish Pant comes into the commentary box.
M Shumba c †de Kock b Nortje 18 (32m 20b 2x4 0x6) SR: 90.00
The ball in which the penalty runs were awarded does not count as one for the over so we're going to get another delivery.
Dary: "Taking evasive action would mean it is not a dead ball. Usually means getting your nose away from a bouncer, not your padded legs." Hmmm....
Jacob: "You don't have to offer a shot for leg byes by my reading of the law. They can also be given if the umpire is satisfied that the striker "tried to avoid being hit by the ball" and you did say he was trying to get out of the way."
Five penalty runs have now been signaled because the relay from fine leg hit de Kock's glove sitting on the ground after he had taken it off to throw. Penalty is for the ball hitting an object intentionally placed on the field of play.
