The two teams were pre-tournament favourites, but they now find themselves in a difficult situation as a consequence of some surprise outcomes and some anticipated rain delays.
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Match 26 of the current ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was scheduled to take place at the famous MCG between Australia and England. The two teams were pre-tournament favourites, but they now find themselves in a difficult situation as a consequence of some surprise outcomes and some anticipated rain delays. With New Zealand having made a strong start to the campaign and Ireland having stunned England, both teams were in an almost must-win scenario today. England was to play the game having lost their previous match, but they also had some great success in the just-finished bilateral T20I series against Australia.
Australia on the other hand had lost to New Zealand in their first encounter. NZ had beaten the Kangooroos in any format for the first time in 11 years in Australia’s home. The net run rate of the defending champions took a jolt too. But they bounced back in fantastic style against Sri Lanka in their second game as they won the game comfortably which also boosted their net run rate. Despite that win though Austalia still needed to win all their games to guarantee themselves a place in the final four, but the rain had other plans.
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Showers in Melbourne claimed its second game of the day, as the match between Australia and England has been called off without a ball being played. With points shared between Australia and England, New Zealand is once again in a good position. Only the Net Run Rate separates England, Ireland, and Australia, who are presently ranked second, third, and fourth on the points table after three games and one win, respectively. Both sides can still qualify for the semifinal, but the question can both of them qualify together?
England will now face New Zealand and Sri Lanka, while Australia will face Ireland and Afghanistan. Ireland’s next two opponents are New Zealand and Australia, but considering the number of shocks that have occurred thus far in the competition, another twist cannot be ruled out. So as is the case things won’t get any easier for England as they face two quality sides in Sri Lanka and New Zealand, while Australia play Ireland and Afghanistan which should give them an advantage because of their relatively more experience. Be that as it may, only one of Australia or England can qualify for the knockouts. Or maybe neither won’t.
