Australia's blockbuster Twenty20 World Cup clash with England at the MCG has been abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Persistent rain in Melbourne this week continued on Friday, leading to the one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the tournament not going ahead.
No rain fell from just before 7pm AEDT, the scheduled start time, but the match did not start as umpires were concerned about wet areas on the ground and near the pitch.
The umpires held two further pitch inspections and promised to do do another one at 8.50pm, but it never happened as a short shower started and the covers were again placed back on the MCG pitch.
Shortly after, opposing captains Aaron Finch and Jos Buttler shook hands to signal the abandonment of the match.
The first game of the day between Ireland and Afghanistan was also called off because of poor weather.
Look back at how the evening unfolded in our live blog.
Key events
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Live updates
By Dean Bilton
That's all from us
Well that was a bit of a shame. We had a really intriguing game in prospect there, but alas the Melbourne weather had other ideas.
The blog will be back from the Gabba for Australia's game against Ireland on Monday, which is now even more important and tasty than it already was. From me tonight, thanks for your company and I will see you next time.
By Dean Bilton
What next for the Aussies?
Where does this leave Australia. Worse or better off in terms of making it through to the next round?
- Ian Fleming
It's still not looking great, but their position remains fairly unchanged after this non-result.
The Aussies play Ireland on Monday and Afghanistan on Friday. They will need to win both of those games, and preferably by margins significant enough to erase their HEAVY net run rate deficit.
Australia's best hope outside of that will be New Zealand beating everyone they play. That would prevent England and Sri Lanka getting ahead of them, provided Australia win out from here. But there are a lot of balls in the air still.
By Dean Bilton
The match has been abandoned
And that is all she wrote from the MCG. Australia and England will take a point each.
By Dean Bilton
The covers are coming back on
Yeah, I'm not sure we're going to be seeing any cricket tonight.
By Dean Bilton
When is the cut off?
Hello Dean, what's the cutoff times for a full and minimum match ? What happens if we are washed out ? La Nina should be a side.
- Andrew
I believe it will be about 9:45pm AEDT. So we could play this waiting game for another hour or so yet.
If we are washed out the teams will split the points, and Group 1 will remain very much as you were. If anything, it would open the door slightly for Australia, who would need to beat Afghanistan and Ireland (preferably by a lot) and hope New Zealand beat England.
By Dean Bilton
Another inspection coming at 8:50pm AEDT
That's about 25 minutes from now. They're giving this every chance...
By Dean Bilton
Inspection No. 2
There is a literal lawnmower out there. Like one you would buy from Bunnings and use in your own backyard. Not sure what it's up to, but they seem to be trying things at least.
The umpires are inspecting those same areas around the edges of the wicket block where water has been been pooling all day. Aaron Finch is chatting to them as they walk. Not loving our chances, but who knows.
By Dean Bilton
Heated discussions in the cold
Next inspection is just minutes away. I wonder how long they are prepared to let this wait, and just how keen the teams would be to see this potentially turn into a five-over-a-side match.
By Dean Bilton
Should they be playing under the roof?
Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott thinks so. After his team's game was abandoned this afternoon, he wondered why matches couldn't be played up the road at Docklands under that big ol' roof.
"The frustrating thing as well is there's a stadium down the road that's got a roof on it as well so you can play cricket there. So we could have had lots of cricket," Trott said.
"But this is the way it is. It's what makes tournaments unpredictable. It makes tournaments exciting with regard to the matches coming up, must win games. Hopefully we can be part of it in the mix and looking forward to it."
By Dean Bilton
Next inspection coming at 8:15pm AEDT
Still no toss scheduled, but the umpires will check again in a little over half an hour.
By Dean Bilton
The umpires' inspection is happening now
And they seem mostly concerned with the run-off area at the edge of the wicket block. They are pointing at wet patches with an umbrella and looking fairly unhappy with the state of affairs.
The Aussie squad is loitering nearby, probably with a few choice suggestions being offered up. More news when we get it.
By Dean Bilton
Sad Stoin
The man just wants to play some cricket.
By Dean Bilton
Is that a cover coming off I see?
It's only part of the battle because the sodden outfield is likely to be the greater issue, but it's a start. The rain, for now, has subsided.
By Dean Bilton
Killing time
Not an umbrella in sight there though. Promising?
By Dean Bilton
Matthew Wade is at the MCG
That is notable because he currently has COVID. But his symptoms are apparently very minor, and tournament guidelines do not prevent players from playing if they are infected. So it seems like there's every chance Wade will play tonight.
He's masked up currently, and I imagine he might take a wide berth to big group celebrations tonight.
By Dean Bilton
There will be an inspection in an hour
The umpires will check things out again at 7.30pm AEDT to see how conditions are looking.
Until then, we cross our fingers.
By Dean Bilton
What does the weather in Melbourne look like?
It has been wet all day, but there is hope that the worst of it is about to pass. In the above radar that massive rain blob is heading north-east, which means Melbourne is about to see some relief.
So it'll just be a matter of how wet the outfield is and how many little showers come through in the next few hours. But I'm optimistic of play.
By Dean Bilton
Crunch time for Australia and England
Good evening, and welcome to the MCG for Australia's third match in this T20 World Cup. And it's a biggie, with England next up in a Group 1 clash that will have massive repercussions.
The loser will suddenly find themselves on the brink in this tournament, while the winners will have a much clearer path to the semi-finals.
Unfortunately, we are currently on rain watch as Melbourne cops a bit of a soaking today. The Ireland-Afghanistan scheduled for this afternoon at the MCG was abandoned without a ball being bowled, so it's fair to say tonight's game might be under threat too. Watch this space.
Either way, we'll be here to bring you all the latest and (hopefully) all the action once play gets underway.
AAP
