Get ready for a cricket extravaganza! Over the next 45 days, we’ll be treated to 48 thrilling matches. And guess what? It’s also the retreating monsoon season in India. So, amidst the cheering and excitement, there might be some unexpected guests – a few raindrops or maybe even a mischievous flicker from the floodlights.
Now, you might wonder, “What happens if the rain dances onto the pitch? Or if the floodlights decide to take a quick nap?” Well, what’s the last call for a match to wrap up? And if the skies just won’t cooperate, do we get a do-over? Let’s dive into the playing conditions and rules for the ICC World Cup 2023 and find out.
Guide to ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Rain Rules
Get Ready for Some Bonus Action! In most matches during the event, we’ve got an extra 60 minutes up our sleeves for those unforeseen interruptions, thanks to the unpredictable weather or other unexpected surprises.
But hold on to your hats for the Semi-Finals and Final showdowns! They get double the dose of extra time, a whopping 120 minutes, to ensure the cricket magic continues, even if Mother Nature decides to play her tricks.
So, whether it’s raindrops or unforeseen hiccups, rest assured, we’ve got you covered.
2023 ICC World Cup Reserve Day Rules
In the group stage or the opening round, there’s no ‘rainy day fund’ in the form of a reserve day. That means, we’re aiming to wrap up the excitement on the very day it’s scheduled, with the help of an extra 60-minute time extension and, if needed, the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method to adjust the target score in case the overs get trimmed.
Now, what if the weather gods just won’t cooperate, and we can’t reach a result despite our best efforts on the scheduled match day? Well, in that case, it’s a friendly ‘point-share’ party! Both teams get a point each to keep things fair and square.
But here’s the twist! During the knockout stages, the stakes are higher, and we want a clear-cut winner. So, for an ODI match to have a winner, both teams need to get in at least 20 overs each. If that doesn’t happen, we declare it a ‘No Result,’ leaving the crowd hungry for more cricket action.
Is There a Reserve Day in the Cards for the Knockout Rounds?
So, you might be wondering, ‘Is there a reserve day in the cards for the knockout rounds?’ The answer is a resounding ‘YES!’
In the thrilling Semi-Finals and the ultimate showdown in the Final, we’ve got a ‘backup plan’ day set aside. This day comes to the rescue if, for any reason, the match can’t be wrapped up on the scheduled day. But hey, we’re optimists! We’ll give it our all to finish the game on the original day, even if it means shaving off a few overs.
Only if the cricketing gods insist on making things tricky and we can’t manage to squeeze in the essential 20 overs each on the scheduled day, then and only then, do we play our ‘reserve day card.
Also Read: Leading Run Scorers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
