Image Credit- ICC
Reserve days will be used for the semi-finals on
November 15 and 16, as well as the final on November 19, now that the 2023 ODI
World Cup has advanced to the elimination stages. Here’s a breakdown of how
things work, even if there’s almost no chance they’ll be used when India plays
New Zealand in Mumbai. However, rain could affect the Australia-South Africa
match in Kolkata.
There’s definitely a legitimate chance that rain will
have some influence. Right now, Friday appears to be the more challenging day,
with a forecast of about a 50% chance of showers on Thursday, the day of the
semi-final.
The umpires will attempt to finish the play on the
planned day before initiating the reserve day, even if it means limiting the
game to a minimum of 20 overs each side. This is the only situation in which
the additional day is relevant. The 2019 Old Trafford semi-final between India
and New Zealand required a reserve day.
Depending on when the last rain interruption occurs,
there are essentially two ways that a match can be played out if it isn’t
finished on the planned day and the reserve day is used.
Two functional examples are provided here, courtesy of
the ICC playing conditions:
Example 1: The game is interrupted at 19 overs after
it begins with 50 overs each side. The play is ready to continue with the overs
reduced to 46 overs per side. It starts to rain just before the ball is bowled,
thus the day’s play is called off. The match should restart on the reserve day
at the original 50 overs per side, with the overs lowered if necessary during
the innings, as the match did not resume under the revised overs.
Example 2: The same start as in example 1 i.e. match
starts at 50 overs per side and there is an interruption at 19 overs. Overs are
reduced to 46 overs per side and play is about to resume. This time, play
starts and after an over has been bowled it rains and play is abandoned for the
day. As the match has resumed, it is continued on the reserve day at 46 overs
per side with the overs further reduced if necessary during the reserve day.