Key events
On this day in 1993… Pakistan slip to 26 for 9 against West Indies.
The cut-off point for the match to start is around 7.30pm local time/1.30am AEDT, so we still have a bit of time.
Still raining. If the match is washed out, which looks by far the likeliest scenario, each team will take a point.
On this day in 2025…
On this day in 1990… the most expensive over in cricket history was bowled.
“Just a heads up Rob…” begins Alistair Connor. “Check out weather.com , the rain’s only getting worse in Rawalpindi. Can’t see any sort of match happening. Or are you contractually or diplomatically obliged to avoid mentioning that?”
It’s more that I’m one of nature’s optimists you can’t always trust the weather apps.
(NB: clip contains a jet stream of adult language.)
At the moment we still have a full game, but we’ll start to lose overs at 3pm local time/9pm AEDT. It’s hard to see the match getting under way before then.
Still raining in Rawalpindi. It’s very light, frustratingly so, but the outfield is in good condition so the turnaround should be very quick if/when the rain stops.
Here’s something to read while we wait. The bogeyman is back.
The nature of the Champions Trophy – two groups of four, blink and you’ll miss it – makes it tricky to assess all the permutations. My instinct is that a washout today is a slightly better result for Australia than South Africa. What it would mean is that net run-rate is less likely to be a factor in who qualifies for the semi-finals.
Delayed start to match due to rain
The toss should be happening right about now. Should. It’s still raining so we’re going to have a delayed start, and possibly a very frustrating day.
The forecast isn’t great, in truth, so DLS may well be a factor in this game. Whoever wins the toss will surely bowl first.
Australia are without five of their World Cup-winning XI in this tournament. But their replacements – particularly Matt Short, Alex Carey and Nathan Ellis – were key to the win over England.
There is plenty of cloud and, most importantly, a bit of light rain about at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium at the moment. The covers are on but there is no word yet about the start being delayed. Stay tuned!
Preamble
Rob Smyth
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Australia v South Africa in Rawalpindi. No major tournament is complete without these two old rivals flexing their guns at each other. Australia have generally had the better of South Africa when it really matters, winning World Cup semi-finals in 1999, 2007 and 2023, but it does feel like South Africa are very close to leaving the ghosts of World Cup past behind.
South Africa have a formidable team and beat Afghanistan with the ease in their opening group game. Australia had to work harder to beat England, chasing 352 on the back of a stunning century from Josh Inglis.
Today’s winners won’t officially qualify for the semi-finals, but they become strong favourites to win the group – and potentially avoid India in the semis. The losers will be left needing to win their final game just to reach the last four.
The match starts at 8pm AEDT, 9am GMT.
