Postpublished at 11:34 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
Henry Moeran
BBC Test Match Special commentator
This is a sight we didn't necessarily feel like we'd see but it is a pleasant sight.
Summary
Match abandoned - no result and both sides get one point
SA reached 51-0 off three overs, chasing 64 off seven overs, when heavy rain ended match
Zimbabwe recover from 19-4 to post 79-5
Zim 79-5 (9 overs): Madhevere 35* (18); Ngidi 2-20
Game was reduced to nine overs per side after long rain delay
Use audio icon at top of the page to listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary
Postpublished at 11:34 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
Today's match-uppublished at 11:34 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
Today's match-up features two players at either end of their cricketing careers.
Sikandar Raza has starred for Zimbabwe with bat and ball so far this World Cup. The 36-year-old is the third-highest run scorer in the tournament so far with 136 runs at an average of 45.33. With the ball he has taken five wickets at an average of 12.20.
Tristan Stubbs is a rising star of South African cricket having made his T20 debut for the Proteas in June. The following month he showed England fans what he is capable of with an astonishing 72 from just 28 balls in a T20 match at Bristol.
Despite being just 22 he already has plenty of experience in franchise cricket, playing for Indian Premier League side Mumbai Indians and Manchester Originals in the second edition of the Hundred.
Image source, Getty Images/BBC SportView from the press boxpublished at 11:33 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
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End of twitter postPostpublished at 11:32 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
Xavier Doherty
Former Australia spinner on BBC Test Match SpecialI would love to see a rule change because there is no doubt that both sides would change their sides if they had the opportunity to now.
Postpublished at 11:30 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
Henry Moeran
BBC Test Match Special commentatorIt might be drizzling a little bit at the moment but I do think we're going to see some play.
Postpublished at 11:29 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
Here are the updated playing conditions:
- Nine overs per side
- Three over powerplay
- Four bowlers can bowl a maximum of two overs each
- Ten minute interval between innings
Image source, Getty ImagesPlay to restart at 11:35 BSTpublished at 11:25 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
Hooray! We will see some cricket after all.
Play will restart at 11:35 BST with the match reduced to nine overs per side.
Postpublished at 11:19 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
The covers are coming off again!
The groundstaff have certainly earned their money today.
Postpublished at 11:17 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma is having a chat with umpires Michael Gough and Ahsan Raza. There's plenty of concerned looks at the sky.
Again the rain isn't that heavy but as long as it keeps coming down we are not going to see any cricket.
Sigh.
It's raining againpublished at 11:14 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
Just as I typed that last update it started to drizzle.
On go the covers again.
Postpublished at 11:11 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
More good news. The covers are now completely off. Some South Africa and Zimbabwe players have been taking a closer look at the square as the groundstaff busily get to work around them.
The umpires are striding out to the middle, which means we should hopefully have a firm update on a resumption shortly.
The covers are coming offpublished at 10:57 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
Action stations! The covers are starting to come off and the tractor is busy doing its work on the outfield. The umpires are also having a word with the two captains.
We may just see some cricket after all.
Postpublished at 10:51 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
An update is expected at 11:00 BST. But with the covers still in place and light rain continuing to fall I'm not confident it will be anything positive.
Image source, geKohli delivers on a sporting occasion like no otherpublished at 10:45 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
On Sunday we witnessed one of the greatest T20 matches of all time as Virat Kohli inspired India to a thrilling victory over their great rivals Pakistan.
My colleague Matt Henry was lucky enough to be there at the MCG and his reaction to a pulsating encounter in Melbourne is well worth a read.
(it is still raining in Hobart by the way so you are not missing anything)
While we wait... take on our T20 World Cup quizpublished at 10:35 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
While it rains, we've got something to occupy you.
Across the previous editions of the Men's T20 World Cup 97 different players have won the tournament. How many do you think you can name?
That's part of your challenge, alongside ranking previous stars of the competition and a test of your knowledge of the ICC world rankings.
Take on our T20 World Cup mega quiz and vote for your 2022 winner.
Image source, BBC SportPostpublished at 10:28 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
The rain is getting heavier and the groundstaff have taken cover. There are now just a handful of brave stewards decked in illuminous yellow jackets guarding the outfield.
The cut-off to start a five-over match is 12:03 BST.
The covers are off...then on againpublished at 10:21 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
They are just teasing us now.
The groundstaff briefly took the covers off, but have quickly put them back on again after another shower moved in. It is going to be one of those days unfortunately.
If and when we do get under way we will definitely lose some overs.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 10:07 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
We are expecting an update from the middle imminently. The two umpires have gone out to take a look, but the rain is still coming down.
We will likely lose some overs when play resumes but we only need five per side to constitute a game.
That's something to cling to for for the crowd at the Bellerive Oval, who are braving the elements in the hope of seeing some action. Cricket fans are made of stern stuff.
Postpublished at 09:51 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
Bad news. The rain is continuing to fall and the groundstaff have wandered off to take cover, so there won't be any play imminently.
The rain still doesn't look that heavy though so I remain hopeful.
Keep the faith everyone!
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 09:37 British Summer Time 24 October 2022
The covers are still in place BUT a tractor is circling the outfield with a rope to remove some of the moisture from the surface. A positive sign perhaps?
The rain still looks very light. If play was already under way they may have been able to carry on through it.
The groundstaff are still in the middle, poised and ready to go.