The first T20 World Cup semi final has been abandoned due to rain, with India automatically qualifying for Sunday's final in Melbourne
Match Report:
ScorecardIndia progress as rain ruins first World Cup semi
India progressed through to their first ICC Women's T20 World Cup final after wet weather forced their semi-final clash against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground to be abandoned.
Persistent rain that blanketed Sydney all day Thursday meant not a ball was bowled in the first semi-final, with India advancing to the final on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after topping Group B.
The match was scheduled to start at 3pm local time but a constant downfall made first delayed the toss before the match was called at 4:08pm.
☔ MATCH ABANDONED ☔
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) March 5, 2020
For the first time in their history, India have qualified for the Women's #T20WorldCup final 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/88DHzqTbnK
A minimum 10 overs per side is needed to constitute a match in the knockout matches.
Their opponent in the final will be either South Africa or Australia, with the Proteas to progress should the second semi-final also be washed out.
Unlike the 2019 men's 50 over World Cup in England last year, the International Cricket Council did not schedule reserve days for the semi-finals.
However, there is a reserve day in place for the final.
Image Id: 1B03333EBA5B4CFF8FDBE91AA3E5CB02 Image Caption: Rain tumbles at the Sydney Cricket Ground // Getty
India find themselves in their first T20 World Cup final having been beaten at the semi-final stage three times in 2009, 2010 and 2018.
An undefeated run in the group stage secured top spot in Group B and with it a path to the final should wet weather intervene in the semi-final.
Harmanpreet Kaur's side opened the World Cup with a shock upset of tournament hosts and defending champions Australia in Sydney.
Australia were cruising in pursuit of 133 but an inspired spell of 4-19 from leg-spinner Poonam Yadav turned the match on its head and into a 17-run win to India.
What a performance from Poonam Yadav! #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/PcR8P0D2Ys
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 21, 2020
A comfortable win over Bangladesh followed before a thrilling encounter with New Zealand in Melbourne, where the Indians held of a surging Amelia Kerr to beat the White Ferns by just three runs.
India rounded out the group stage with a clinical win over Sri Lanka at Junction Oval, winning by seven wickets to secure top spot in Group B.
For England, they will be ruing a narrow loss to South Africa in their opening match. Defending just 8-123, England were in the match into the final over before Proteas veteran Mignon du Preez hit a six to ice the game.
From there on out England played terrific cricket, obliterating Thailand, Pakistan and the West Indies to finish second in Group A.