Raining Stumps and Cricket Balls

The second One-Day International between England and New Zealand was the latest in a long line of controversial rain affected matches, so lets take a look back at some of the other more memorable affairs to remind the Black Caps that it could of been much worse.

England v South Africa, SCG, 1992 World Cup

The granddaddy of all rain affected matches. South Africa in their first major tournament since isolation had made their way impressively to the semi-finals. After winning the toss, SA put England in to bat. When asked about the threat of the weather Kepler Wessels said it was a chance he was willing to take.

Controversy reigned when, under pressure, South Africa began to bowl their overs slowly so that by the cut off time, England had faced 4 overs less than their allotted 50.

In reply South Africa put on a brave chase, but when the rain began to fall, the rain affected match rules that had plagued the tournament came into play. South Africa were left with a chase of 22 off 7 balls. That was then inexplicably changed to 22 off 1 and South Africa's hopes of progression went up in smoke with the words of their captain at the toss coming back to haunt them.

Australia v Sri Lanka, Barbados, 2007 World Cup Final

There's no bigger stage for weather to intervene than a World Cup final and after early rain the match was eventualy reduced to 36 overs.

With darkness falling and Sri Lanka all but beaten, the five ICC officials failed to realise that the required number of overs had been bowled for the game to be constituted as a match and wrongly told the players that if they went off they would have to return the next day.    

The game ended in pitch black conditions with spinners on at both ends before sense was seen and Australia were crowned champions.

South Africa v Sri Lanka, Durban, 2003 World Cup

With South Africa playing on home soil in 2003 they needed a win against Sri Lanka to progress through the group stages. After already losing a rain affected game to New Zealand, more bad weather was on the horizon.

With the run-chase hotting up conditions deteriorated and Mark Boucher mistakenly read the Duckworth-Lewis target. Believing they needed 6 off two balls to go in front Boucher hit a six over mid-wicket. That put his team on the score on his piece of paper, however that was just the par score. Still needing one more run, Boucher defended the next delivery and the players subsequently went off for rain.

The reality soon became apparent and as the rain continued to fall the Proteas could only watch as the game finished as a tie, ending their hopes of World Cup success on home soil.