England’s World Cup hopes could be washed away by rain as Aussies will go through if semi-final falls victim to the weather… and the forecast for Edgbaston isn’t looking good
- England take on old rivals Australia in the World Cup semi-final on Thursday at Edgbaston for a place in final
- It could be a frustrating day for players as rain showers are forecast for that day and Friday’s reserve day
- If the match isn’t completed, Australia would advance to next Sunday’s final where India or New Zealand await
- Under rules, if no play is possible on either day, the team with the higher position in the group stage advances
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England’s Cricket World Cup semi-final with Australia could be scuppered by the weather with rain forecast for Birmingham on Thursday and also the reserve day of Friday.
Eoin Morgan’s team take on the old enemy at Edgbaston for a place in next Sunday’s final at Lord’s, where either India or New Zealand await.
But it could prove to be a frustrating occasion with a showery forecast for the Birmingham area on Thursday morning.
England’s chances of reaching the World Cup final could be scuppered by the weather when they play Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Thursday

If Thursday and the reserve day of Friday are washed out, Eoin Morgan’s side would be eliminated because Australia finished higher in the group stage
What’s more, light rain showers are forecast for the entirety of the allocated reserve day on Friday.
This would be bad news for England because under the competition rules, if no play is possible on either day, the team with the higher position in the group stage advances.
Australia finished second in the group behind India while England finished in third place.
The two semi-finals and the final are the only fixtures in the 48-match tournament with a reserve day scheduled in case of bad weather.
Seven matches during the 45-game group stage were affected in some way by the weather. Three saw a result through the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method, one game started but wasn’t finished and three were abandoned completely.

The Birmingham weather forecast for Thursday shows rain showers in the morning

And it’s an even wetter forecast for the reserve day of Friday with rain throughout the day
Each side must bat for a minimum of 20 overs in a rain-affected contest in order for the result to stand.
The forecast for Birmingham on Thursday shows light rain during the morning – play is due to begin at 10.30am – with better prospects for the afternoon.
If no play is possible on Thursday, the forecast for the reserve day of Friday is worse with light rain showers throughout the day.
And that would mean agony for hosts England, who would be eliminated as a result of finishing behind Australia in the group.
Furthermore, if the final is washed out and the reserve day, the trophy will be shared between the two finalists.

Covers on the pitch at Edgbaston ahead of the group stage match between New Zealand and Pakistan on June 26

Australia finished second in the group stage behind India, with England in third place
Ticket holders for the game at Edgbaston would receive a full refund if they see 15 overs or less during a rain-interrupted match.
They would receive 50 per cent of the ticket price back if they see between 15.1 and 29.5 overs.
England had been expected to play India in the semi-final but Australia’s defeat by South Africa on Saturday, combined with India’s win over Sri Lanka, means the hosts will face their Ashes rivals.