Cricket

Sanju Samson's scintillating century propelled India to a resounding 61-run victory in the series opener against South Africa in Durban. However, the lack of contributions from other key batters remains a concern heading into the second game in Gqeberha.Samson's 107-run knock from 50 balls, studded with seven fours and 10 sixes, powered India to a formidable 211/4. The Proteas, missing several key players, struggled to keep up with the pace and were restricted to 150/9.Despite the emphatic win, India's batting lineup has raised questions. Apart from Samson, only Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (29) made significant contributions. The likes of Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, and Tilak Varma failed to make an impact.The weather forecast for the second T20I in Gqeberha is not promising. Rain is expected to arrive after the start of the match, around 6 PM local time (9:30 PM IST). The forecast predicts high chances of afternoon and evening showers, which could lead to interruptions and delays.Even if the overs are reduced, there is a high possibility that rain might return later in the day, which could eventually lead to the match being washed out. The temperature will fluctuate between 15 to 21 degree celsius throughout the day.For South Africa, the loss was a hard blow, marking their second consecutive defeat to India after their loss in the T20 World Cup final in June. With key players such as Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Tabraiz Shamsi all missing from the squad, the Proteas are already struggling without some of their most experienced campaigners.The absence of these senior players will make the second T20I an uphill battle for South Africa, particularly with their recent form. Having lost 0-3 to the West Indies and drawn a series against Ireland, the Proteas will need improved performances from their senior players, including captain Aiden Markram, David Miller, and Heinrich Klaasen.

The highly anticipated India vs New Zealand Test match in Bengaluru has reached a pivotal point, with all possible outcomes still on the table. However, the weather could play a decisive role in determining the fate of the match.After a rain-marred first day, the match commenced under overcast conditions. New Zealand's fast bowlers wreaked havoc on India's batting lineup, dismissing them for a paltry 46 runs. The visitors then amassed a formidable 402 runs, putting India under immense pressure.In response, India fought back with a resilient 462 runs, setting New Zealand a target of 107 runs to win. With all ten second-innings wickets in hand, New Zealand will resume their chase on the fifth and final day.However, the weather forecast for Bengaluru is casting a shadow over the match. The Indian Meteorological Department predicts "generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers" on Sunday. Accuweather also forecasts "thunderstorms in the area late Saturday night through Sunday evening."These weather conditions could prove advantageous for India, as they could limit the time available for New Zealand to score the required runs. Conversely, New Zealand will be hoping for a clear spell of cricket to allow them to chase down the target.The M Chinnaswamy Stadium boasts a world-class drainage facility and a subsurface aeration system, which enables play to resume quickly after rainfall. However, if the rain persists or becomes too heavy, it could force the match to be abandoned or result in a draw.As the match enters its final day, the tension is palpable. Both teams will be eager to secure a victory, but the weather could ultimately have the final say.

India vs Bangladesh Live Score: Rain Threatens Second Day's PlayThe second day of the second and final Test between India and Bangladesh at Green Park in Kanpur is under threat of rain, with the weather forecast predicting more showers throughout the day. This is a major concern for fans who are eager to witness the continuation of the match, especially after the first day was washed out due to heavy rainfall.India will be looking to make early inroads into the Bangladesh batting lineup on the second day, having won the toss and elected to field first. The hosts will be hoping to capitalize on the overcast conditions and exploit the moisture in the pitch to extract some movement for their pacers.Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be determined to put up a strong fight and avoid a repeat of their performance in the first Test, where they were bundled out for just 150 runs in their first innings. The visitors will need their batsmen to show more resilience and application against India's formidable bowling attack.The weather conditions will play a crucial role in the outcome of the match. If the rain persists, it could significantly reduce the number of overs bowled and potentially lead to a draw. However, if the rain stays away, we can expect an exciting day of Test cricket with both teams looking to gain an advantage.

England vs Australia 4th ODI Live Updates: England Eye Series Leveler at Lord'sEngland will be aiming to level the ongoing five-match ODI series against Australia at 2-2 when the two teams clash in the fourth ODI at Lord's on Thursday. After suffering comprehensive defeats in the first two ODIs, England's batting finally came to the party in the third ODI, as they secured a rain-hit 46-run victory.The hosts will be buoyed by their performance in the third ODI, where they posted a competitive total of 287/9, thanks to half-centuries from Dawid Malan and Liam Livingstone. Their bowlers then restricted Australia to 241/9, with David Willey and Adil Rashid claiming three wickets each.Australia, on the other hand, will be looking to seal a series win away from home against their arch-rivals. The visitors have been in impressive form throughout the series, with their bowlers, led by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, proving to be a handful for the English batsmen.However, the weather could play a significant role in the fourth ODI, with rain forecast for London. If the rain does intervene, it could potentially spoil the contest and force a no-result.Key Players to Watch:* England: Dawid Malan, Liam Livingstone, David Willey* Australia: Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Steve SmithMatch Details:* Date: Thursday, July 14, 2023* Time: 11:00 AM BST* Venue: Lord's, London

The highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2024 final between India and South Africa is set to take place on Saturday at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. However, the match is facing a potential threat from rain, with the weather forecast predicting a 51% chance of precipitation.To mitigate the risk of rain interruptions, the ICC has implemented several measures. Firstly, a reserve day (June 30) has been designated in case the match cannot be completed on the scheduled day. According to the ICC's playing conditions for the tournament, every effort will be made to complete the match on the scheduled day, with any necessary reduction in overs. Only if the minimum number of overs required for a match cannot be bowled on the scheduled day will the match be completed on the reserve day.If a full game is not possible, both teams must bat 10 overs to achieve a result. Additionally, an extra 190 minutes have been allocated to get a result on the scheduled day. If play has not resumed by the cut-off time on the scheduled day, the match will resume from the same point on the reserve day, meaning there will be no fresh start.If no play is possible on the scheduled day, the game will begin at the same time it was supposed to on the original day. Importantly, if the overs are reduced on the scheduled day and played before interruption on the same day, it will begin from the same point on the reserve day.For example, if the match starts at 20 overs per side and there is an interruption at 9 overs, the overs may be reduced to 17 overs per side. If play resumes and an over is bowled before another interruption, the match will continue on the reserve day at 17 overs per side, with the overs further reduced if necessary.The ICC's measures aim to ensure that the T20 World Cup final is completed in a fair and timely manner, despite the potential for rain interruptions.

The highly anticipated second semi-final of the T20 World Cup between India and England at the Providence Stadium in Guyana is under threat due to inclement weather. The capital of Guyana, Georgetown, has experienced heavy rainfall in recent days, raising concerns about the match's viability.The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not allocated a reserve day for the high-stakes clash, which has drawn criticism from fans. The decision was made to ensure that players have adequate rest before the final in Barbados, which is scheduled just a day after the semi-final."For performance reasons, to ensure teams do not have to 'play-travel-play' on consecutive days, the decision was taken to allocate the additional time for the second semi-final immediately post the game," an ICC spokesperson explained.Despite the lack of a reserve day, the ICC has allotted an additional 250 minutes to complete the match in case of rain interruptions. If the match is reduced to a 10-overs-a-side affair, the cut-off time for a result is 1.44 AM IST (4:14 AM local time).India will be eager to avenge their 10-wicket defeat to England in the semi-final of the 2022 edition. The team has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, winning all their matches except for the abandoned fixture against Canada.England, on the other hand, has had a mixed campaign, with both impressive victories and unexpected losses. They have fought hard to reach the semi-finals and will be determined to upset India.The weather forecast remains uncertain, and fans will be anxiously monitoring the situation in the lead-up to the match. If rain does intervene, it could have a significant impact on the outcome of the tournament.

The T20 World Cup semifinals face a significant weather threat, with the second semifinal between India and England in Guyana particularly vulnerable. Unlike the first semifinal between South Africa and Afghanistan, which has a reserve day, the India-England match does not.This discrepancy stems from the timing of the matches. The South Africa-Afghanistan game is a day-night affair, allowing for a reserve day if rain interrupts play. However, the India-England semifinal is a day match, and the travel day for the finalists on June 28 precludes a reserve day.To accommodate potential rain delays, the second semifinal has been allocated an additional four hours. However, if rain forces the abandonment of the match, the team that finished higher in the Super 8s will advance to the final.According to weather forecasts, there is an 88% chance of rain and an 18% chance of thunderstorms in Guyana on Thursday morning. If rain disrupts play, the umpires will have eight hours to complete the match.In the event that both semifinals are abandoned due to rain, India and South Africa, the top finishers in their respective groups, will advance to the title clash.

The T20 World Cup 2024 is set for a thrilling clash between India and Australia, but the weather could play a crucial role in determining the fate of these two teams. With India on the verge of securing a semi-final berth, Australia's hopes hang in the balance after their unexpected defeat to Afghanistan.As Australia prepares for a do-or-die battle on Monday, the weather forecast paints a gloomy picture. Accuweather predicts heavy rainfall throughout the day in St. Lucia, with showers expected before and during the India vs Australia match, scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM local time. The chances of rain remain high at 70% throughout the day, making a washout or a reduced-overs game a likely scenario.The hourly weather report for St. Lucia on June 24 indicates a high probability of rain during the match:* 9:00 AM (6:30 PM IST): 64% chance of rain* 10:00 AM (7:30 PM IST): 40% chance of rain* 11:00 AM (8:30 PM IST): 34% chance of rain* 12:00 PM (9:30 PM IST): 37% chance of rain* 1:00 PM (10:30 PM IST): 47% chance of rain* 2:00 PM (11:30 PM IST): 51% chance of rain* 3:00 PM (7:30 PM IST): 51% chance of rainIf rain washes out the entire India vs Australia match, both teams will receive one point each. This outcome would secure India's place in the semi-finals, while Australia's progression would depend on the result of the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh match. A Bangladesh victory would send Australia through, but an Afghanistan win would eliminate them from the tournament.The Group 1 standings in the Super 8s are poised for an exciting finish, with all four teams still in contention. India leads the pack with a 100% record and a healthy Net Run Rate of +2.425. Australia follows with one win in two matches and an NRR of +0.233. Afghanistan (-0.65) and Bangladesh (-2.489) complete the top four.

As India gears up to face Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8s, the threat of rain looms over the highly anticipated clash. The ongoing tournament has witnessed several rain-affected matches, including India's final group game against Canada.According to Accuweather, there is a 25% probability of rain in Barbados on Wednesday. While the morning is expected to be clear, precipitation is forecast around 1:00 PM local time. With the match scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM local time, rain interruptions are likely in the second half.India's practice session on Tuesday was also affected by rain, highlighting the potential impact on the match. The team's four spinners, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Yuzvendra Chahal, spent considerable time practicing against Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav.Despite the weather concerns, India remains focused on their goal of achieving success in the tournament. Captain Rohit Sharma expressed the team's determination to make a mark. "There is real keenness in the group to go and do something special," Sharma said. "We take our skill sessions quite seriously. There is something to achieve in every skill session that you do."India's spinners will be crucial in countering Afghanistan's spin threat. The Afghan team boasts a formidable spin attack led by Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi. India's batsmen will need to adapt quickly to the conditions and find ways to score against the spinners.The weather forecast remains uncertain, but India will be hoping for a clear day to showcase their skills against Afghanistan. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two talented teams, and the outcome could have a significant impact on the Super 8s standings.