Group 1 race to the T20 World Cup semifinals has two more matches remaining and all permutations, combinations and qualification scenarios are being looked at, with all four teams still having a chance of making it into the last knockout stage of the tournament.
However, other than players’ and teams’ performances another factor that always comes into play is weather.
In the first of two crucial games remaining in Group 1, India will take on Australia at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet in St Lucia on Monday.
The game is scheduled to start at 10.30 am local time which will be at 8 pm in India; throughout its duration mostly cloudy skies are expected over this stadium.
According to accuweather.com , “Monday morning will be partly sunny” but with “a thunderstorm in parts of the area” besides being “windy” with an 85% cloud cover. That forecast will change as we move into afternoon when the expected cloud cover for this day going down to around 47%.
Expect nothing unusual from Caribbean weather patterns during Monday’s day-night game .
India (4 points and net run-rate +2.425) are unbeaten so far and hence favorites followed by Australia (2 points NRR +0.223), who could get eliminated if they lose against India. Afghanistan (2 points NRR -0.650), taking on Bangladesh (0 point NRR -2.489) in their final match of ‘Super 8s’, shall join Indian team as other two semifinalists from Group 1 only if they win that match.
IF INDIA vs AUSTRALIA GETS WASHED OUT
Should a washout causes a no-result, then Australia would finish with three points. The reigning ODI champions would pray for either a washout or a Bangladesh victory against Afghanistan in their respective match.
When both games end in no result, Australia will pip Afghanistan on NRR while a loss to Bangladesh means the Afghans leave the tournament with two points compared to Australia’s three.
GROUP 2
Defending champions England are so far the only team that has progressed to the semi finals from Group 2, where either West Indies or South Africa will join them in the knockouts depending on who wins their next match.
