Currently, the centre-wicket is under covers.
How would the weather hold up? Chances of showers are bright and that might be a cause of gloom in the SA camp. But the prediction also mentions that the rains might not bring about a total washout but a shortened game in the shortest format can be a little bit of a banana peel. As far as squad changes are concerned, SA should retain the same team. Bangladesh might not tinker and tanker with their XI as well.
13:00 Local Time, 02:00 GMT, 07:30 IST: Exactly 30 years ago, the giant scoreboard at the SCG read 22 needed off 1 ball for SA against England. That wasn't the original equation. They needed 22 off 13 but a bout of rain had led to this improbable situation. Fast forward 30 years, SA had to share points with Zimbabwe despite being in a dominant position. Chasing 80 in 9 overs, they were 51 for none in 3 overs before rain clinched it with truck loads of sighs to spare. In group 2, SA will mostly be pitted against India and Pakistan for a place in the semis. And being denied a point in their game wouldn't have helped their confidence at all.
Bangladesh won their first ever game in the second round of a T20 WC by defeating Netherlands a couple of days back. Though the jinx of 15 years has been broken but there were alarming issues which need a stopgap solution for atleast this WC. Their middle order right now is as volatile as the stock market. A timely cameo from Afif Hossain might have saved the day for them against Netherlands. But an experienced and potent SA bowling attack might not allow them that liberty. The lack of experience in the middle order barring the glorious exception of Shakib has been off putting.
How would the wicket play? If the game between Australia and New Zealand was to be believed, then batters will have a field day, spinners should enjoy themselves with the pacers being handed out a hiding. But this WC hasn't followed a particular narrative. Windies have crashed out. Australia were thrashed in their opening encounter and England were hoodoo-ed by Ireland, again! The rains have left a sour taste but apart from that, the matches have been well contested.
Exactly 30 years ago, the giant scoreboard at the SCG read 22 needed off 1 ball for SA against England. That wasn't the original equation. They needed 22 off 13 but a bout of rain had led to this improbable situation. Fast forward 30 years, SA had to share points with Zimbabwe despite being in a dominant position. Chasing 80 in 9 overs, they were 51 for none in 3 overs before rain clinched it with truck loads of sighs to spare. In group 2, SA will mostly be pitted against India and Pakistan for a place in the semis. And being denied a point in their game wouldn't have helped their confidence at all.
Bangladesh won their first ever game in the second round of a T20 WC by defeating Netherlands a couple of days back. Though the jinx of 15 years has been broken but there were alarming issues which need a stopgap solution for atleast this WC. Their middle order right now is as volatile as the stock market. A timely cameo from Afif Hossain might have saved the day for them against Netherlands. But an experienced and potent SA bowling attack might not allow them that liberty. The lack of experience in the middle order barring the glorious exception of Shakib has been off putting.
How would the weather hold up? Chances of showers are bright and that might be a cause of gloom in the SA camp. But the prediction also mentions that the rains might not bring about a total washout but a shortened game in the shortest format can be a little bit of a banana peel. As far as squad changes are concerned, SA should retain the same team. Bangladesh might not tinker and tanker with their XI as well.
Currently, the centre-wicket is under covers. The toss most likely will be delayed.
Pitch report: The outfield seems to be in good touch. The square boundaries isn't that big. It is slightly drier. On a length there are some cracks. Still a belter of a track.