At the time of writing, the second semi-final of the 2023 World Cup, between Australia and South Africa, was halted due to rain. At that point, South Africa were reeling at 44-4 after 14 overs.

Mitchell Starc (2-18) and Josh Hazlewood (2-12) had shared the wickets of Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, and Rassie van der Dussen, none of whom had gone past 10.

What if the semi-final does not resume on the scheduled day, November 16? For that to happen, the rain has to be serious. Clause 13.7.3 of the ICC Men’s World Cup Playing Conditions states: “There shall be 60 minutes of extra time allocated to all matches throughout the event except for the Semi-Finals and Final. Semi-Finals and Final – 120 minutes of extra time.”

But what if the match does not resume despite the two-hour additional time? Unlike the league games, the semi-finals and final will have one reserve day. To quote Clause 13.6: “The Semi-Finals and Final shall have a reserve day allocated on which an incomplete match shall be continued from the scheduled day. No other matches shall have a reserve day allocated.

“If the reserve day is allocated, every effort will be made to complete the match on the scheduled day with any necessary reduction in overs taking place and only if the minimum number of overs necessary to constitute a match cannot be bowled on the scheduled day will the match be completed on the reserve day.

“If the match has started on the scheduled day and overs are subsequently reduced following an interruption, but no further play is possible, the match will resume on the reserve day at the point where the last ball was played.”

But what if the match does not resume even on the reserve day or, even if it does, both sides do not get 20 overs – the minimum requirement of an ODI? Clause 16.10.3 states that “if the match is abandoned or a no result at the end of the reserve day, then the team which proceeds to the Final will be the team that finished in the higher position in the league stage.”

To sum up, there will be two hours of additional time, followed by a reserve day. If even that do not yield a result, South Africa will qualify for the final, for they had finished second in the points table and Australia third.

India have already qualified for the final, to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19.