Uh oh. Have the umpires found a problem area at the last?

They were striding off confidently, seemingly happy with how everything was looking before one squelchy step just inside the boundary rope stopped them in their tracks.

There is one particularly muddy-looking area on the boundary that is also receiving some attention.

They need to be playing in 23 minutes, it is a race against time - rain delay don't get much more dramatic than this...

Sri Lanka's Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari padded up, ready to get warmed up before resuming their innings.

They're waiting for the outcome of the pitch inspection before exerting too much energy, though.

The covers are all off and the umpires are out having a look now. No official word but everyone seems to be getting ready to play...

With the cut-off under 40 minutes away now, we should get an update either way very shortly.

Should they manage to get playing then, Sri Lanka will have another eight overs of their innings, their total will be adjusted for DLS and South Africa will have 20 overs to chase down whatever the target may be.

The umpires are out having a look at the now uncovered pitch.

There is a shake of the head after giving the surface a pat but I don't want to read too much into that, it could simply have been in answer to a question rather than meaning 'no chance we're getting back on'.

With covers still coming off, it looks like there are going to do their best to get the game on.

I'd imagine the state of the outfield and the bowlers' run-ups will play a big part in deciding whether that is possible.

Covers are coming off while the umpires are talking to the captains.

No handshakes at the end of it so they've not given up on getting more cricket yet, it seems.

Image source, Getty Images

We've got pictures of the umpires gathering on the boundary edge and - drumroll, please... it appears to have stopped raining!

The question now is whether there is enough time to get the pitch cleared and dry before the cut-off in about an hour's time.

I'm not convinced...

Potentially, Pete. But India did play Pakistan in Colombo - it just so happened that they were able to get a game in.

Plus, as I mentioned before, England definitely benefitted from the rain and New Zealand probably did, too.

You have to feel for Sri Lanka, though. This would be their third washout in five games.

We're hearing the cut-off time is 16:40 BST, by the way. So we could be waiting a while longer.

David is right to say all the washouts at this World Cup have come in Colombo and, while I was optimistic we'd get more play earlier, now I'm not so sure.

The rain is coming down pretty heavily and with a minimum of another eight overs of the Sri Lanka innings still to be completed, before an innings break and then 20 overs for South Africa to bat to make a game, time is quickly running out.

It's 7pm local time now. Unless the rain stops extremely soon, I wouldn't be surprised if we had word from the umpires in the next hour (possibly sooner)...

Your latest weather update: as you were.

This is the latest forecast for Colombo. Not great, is it?

It's still rainingpublished at 12:50 BST 17 October

12:50 BST 17 October

It is starting to get dark in Colombo and that is only making the conditions look that much worse.

There is no sign of an imminent restart, or indeed a restart in the next little while.

With that in mind, this is probably the time grab yourself some lunch and/or run a few errands.

We'll update you with any news - positive or negative - when we get it.

Well, whatever the groundstaff had in mind when they walked out onto the pitch, the outcome is they have headed back inside without changing a thing.

Perhaps the rain has got a bit heavier. Sigh...

Well I'm still hopeful that we will get more play in Colombo today, Michael.

But if not, South Africa would be the fourth of the five sides expected, at least pre-tournament, to really be battling it out for a semi-final spot to be affected.

Australia, England and New Zealand have all had games washed out in Colombo - and the latter two were helped by the rain, really.

If we add South Africa, only India have avoided it so it's sort of evened itself out...?

Anyway, there is some movement out in Colombo, albeit no covers are coming off just yet, so South Africa might yet be able to force a win.

The covers are still firmly in place and the rain is still coming down, albeit not too heavily based on the gesture from one of the South Africa coaches, who has ventured outside and held his hands out to gauge it.

Meanwhile, some good news for Sri Lanka. It seems that Vishmi Gunaratne will be able to bat again later in the innings if/ when they get back out.

The opener had to retire hurt after a nasty and unfortunate incident when she was struck by the ball as she ran through for a quick single...

Let's stay optimistic and assume that we will get more play today - hopefully plenty of it - and if we do, things are looking good for South Africa.

Those two early wickets, plus Vishmi Gunaratne retiring hurt, means WinViz has them as clear favourites from here...

Image source, CricViz

Rain stops playpublished at 12 overs

12 overs

SL 46-2

Here we go...

The rain had been falling pretty steadily for a good few overs and, after a quick chat, the umpires decide it has got a bit too heavy now.

It is extremely gloomy but the situation doesn't look terminal compared to some of the downpours we've seen in recent days.

Hopefully that isn't famous last words.

Huge moment from the last ball of the powerplay as Masabata Klaas gets Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu lbw!

The Proteas seamer was round the wicket to the left hander and raps the knee-roll of the front pad. Given out, reviewed and once it is shown to be pad first, it's all about whether the impact was outside the line.

Umpire's call! So close but with the ball shown to be going on to thud into middle and off, that's enough for South Africa. Athapaththu falls for 12.

That comes a couple of overs after Klaas had bowled Hasini Perera with a beauty. Round the wicket again and it pitched on off stump before straightening a fraction to hit the top of off stump.

Brilliant bowling and with Vishmi Gunaratne having retired hurt, Sri Lanka are effectively 37-3.

Meanwhile, the rain is coming down and the groundstaff are gathered on the boundary edge. But so far, the umpires are happy for play to continue.

Oh dear, such a shame for Sri Lanka as opener Vishmi Gunaratne has to retire hurt after being hit by an errant throw after sprinting through for a quick single.

It bounces up to hit her on the inside part of the knee - just missing the pad. That is a really painful one and she is taken off on a stretcher.

The right-hander had started so well, hitting a couple of gorgeous shots to the boundary and taking on the role of chief aggressor as captain Chamari Athapaththu plays herself in.

We'll see whether Athapaththu changes her approach now as Hasini Perera comes in at three.

Sri Lanka will hope Gunaratne is able to return later in the innings if needed.