Rain playing a major spoilsport in cricket games is one of the worst sights for a cricketing fan. In the on going WTC Final, we are witnessing yet another rain hit game, the chances of who’s result in favour of either side is very slim. There have been many matches in the history of the game where rain has forced unforeseen events to take place and today in this article we will discuss five such games where rain proved to be the man of the match.
The first match in the list is the 2019 World Cup Semi Final between India and New Zealand. Rain forced players off the field after 46.1 overs and as per ICC’s playing conditions, the game resumed on the reserve day from where it stopped. New Zealand were 211-5 in 46.1 overs when rain forced the players off the field and match officials waited for more than four hours before deciding to take the game to its reserve day. The game resumed in the reserve day and who can forget that MS Dhoni runout which shocked every Indian fan round the globe as India went on to choke once again in an ICC tournament knockout.
The second match is the 1992 WorldCup match between South Africa and Australia. It looked like a fairy tale for South Africa as long as it lasted and just as all seemed to be going fine for them until that excruciating moment when it started raining during the semi-final. With five overs remaining, the Proteas needed 47 to win, The equation changed to 22 from 1 ball when the rain grew heavier. Not many know that the farcical method used to adjust scores in rain-affected matches, was a brainchild of legendary Australian cricketer and commentator Richie Benaud and was never used post the horrific incident.
The third match is the 2013 Champions Trophy final. India had made their way into the Champions Trophy final after a stellar display of cricket throughout the group stage where they didn’t lose a single match. They were paired against the host England in the final One Day International. But once again, came into picture the famous English showers and it was so harsh that at a point the game seemed washed out completely. By god’s grace the rain stopped after a few hours but ensured that the ODI became a 20-20 over affair. India managed to hold their nerves till the end in the T20 converted ODI match and went on to lift their second Champions Trophy title.
The fourth match is the 2004 Test between India and Australia. After Australia scored 235 in the first innings, to which India replied by getting a lead of 141 runs after their first innings. At the close of the 4th day, India needed 210 runs with all wickets intact, but the threat of Shane Warne, who had picked 6 wickets in the first innings, loomed large on the chase. But as it happens so often in Chennai, the skies opened up washing the fifth day’s play of what could have been an enthralling finish to the Test match.
The fifth match is the 2007 World Cup Final between Australia and Sri Lanka. In this rain hit match where the match was reduced to 38 overs each, Australia batting first played amazingly on a rough pitch and put up a tough total of 281 on the board. Post Australia’s inning, rain struck again and the match was reduced by 2 overs and the revised target was 269. The Sri Lankan batsman failed to get to it and Australia were crowned world champions for the second consecutive time.
