Advertisement

'Incredibly poor': Aussies under threat in 'ludicrous' World Cup farce

Australia need to benefit from a healthy dose of luck as inclement weather threatens to bring an end to their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign.

Luck hasn’t smiled on the Australian team this tournament, with the home team losing superstar Elysse Perry to a hamstring injury.

‘NOT THE RIGHT MAN’: Michael Clarke's stunning Steve Smith snub

NO TOUCHING: England cricketers hit with extraordinary ban on shaking hands

Now, forecast rain in Sydney for Thursday’s semi-final has put the Australians’ tournament hopes in jeopardy.

Scheduled to play either England or South Africa for a shot at the grand final, no reserve day has been allocated for Thursday’s semi-final.

The failure to schedule a reserve day was described as ‘amateur hour’ by some on social media.

Meg Lanning, pictured during Australian T20 World Cup match against New Zealand.
Meg Lanning and the Australian team need luck to be on their side, with rain threatening to end their T20 World Cup campaign. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

The group winners would progress to the grand final at the MCG under tournament rules - meaning if Australia is to face India, they will be knocked out.

India finished ahead of Australia in the group stages.

A minimum of 10 overs are required in each batting innings for a legitimate game, making rain delays harder to fit in.

World Cup CEO Nick Hockley is hoping that weather doesn't intervene.

"The cricket and the weather are things we can't control," Hockley told SEN.

"We've just got our fingers crossed we can get a full game away.

"It's 10 overs a side for a semi-final to constitute a match.

"It's why finishing positions in the pool can be important.

"Fingers crossed it doesn't come down to that."

Ellyse Perry ruled out of World Cup, South African tour

A shattered Perry hobbled off Melbourne's Junction Oval with a hamstring injury in Monday's win over New Zealand which put Australia into the semi-finals and team doctor Pip Inge says it's a high-grade strain that will also rule her out of the tour to South Africa later this month.

Coach Matthew Mott says Perry will remain with Australia's 15-player World Cup squad, with no changes to be made for Thursday's semi-final against England or South Africa at the SCG.

Perry overcame an injury cloud to take part in the match against New Zealand, making a quick-fire 21 runs (off 15 balls) with the bat to help Australia to 5-155 off their 20 overs.

The allrounder's injury curse struck again though in the field as she tried to effect a run-out from a quick New Zealand single.

WITH AAP