When rain ruined everything

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka had their group stage match of the ICC World Cup 2019 in Bristol washed out by rain and it came as a big blow for the Tigers’ chances as they had to share points with Sri Lanka, a team they fancied their chances against.

Here are four famous incidents of rain playing a big role in the fate of a team in ICC events -

Bangladesh vs Australia - Champions Trophy 2017

Batting first, Bangladesh scored a measly 182 before they were all-out in 44.3 overs. In reply, the Aussies were well set to chase down the total as they were 83/1 after 16 overs before the rain came and the match was washed out.

That meant that both teams shared points. Australia went on to lose their third game against England and exited the tournament in the group stages while Bangladesh scripted one of their most memorable wins against New Zealand in Cardiff with twin centuries from Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad to reach the semis.

Bangladesh vs Australia - World Cup 2015

Bangladesh had started their ICC World Cup 2015 campaign with a big 105 run win against newbies Afghanistan. Their next match was against juggernauts Australia. Without even the toss taking place, the match was washed out due to rain and that led to Bangladesh getting a point out of a match they were not fancied to win.

The Tigers went on two win two more group games against Scotland and England and that helped them reach the quarter finals of the showpiece event for the first time.

If not for the vital point against Australia, that would not have been possible.

South Africa vs Sri Lanka - World Cup 2003

This was one day that the South African team would like to forget, especially Mark Boucher. Batting first, Sri Lanka scored 268/9 in their 50 overs. In reply, the target was revised to 230 in 45 overs.

South Africa were well on course but somehow in the confusion over what is the target and what is the par score, South Africa messed up the rules of the Duckworth-Lewis (D/L) Method. South African wicket-keeper Mark Boucher slammed a six to level the scores. But he was confused by the par score and target required, so he calmly tapped the ball to mid-wicket to tie the match. If Boucher had stolen a single, South Africa would have progressed further. Instead, South Africa were knocked out from their own World Cup!

South Africa vs England - World Cup 1992

Batting first, England scored 252/6 in the semi-final. In reply South Africa were closing in on the target before rain came. The Proteas still needed 22 runs from the final 13 balls. But back then, there was no D/L method and the game couldn't be extended because of television demands, so by the time the teams were able to go back out, the umpires had shortened the game to leave South Africa with just one ball left.

A new rule introduced for that World Cup meant the target was reduced only by the amount of runs the opposition had scored in our least productive two overs with the bat. That meant South Africa were left needing 21 runs from their final ball.

The final ball was blocked and England eventually won the match to reach the final.