India vs Australia 2nd T20: Will it rain?

Heading to Melbourne Cricket Ground for India vs Australia? Here’s the weather outlook for Friday evening.

MCG ground staff on the covers as rain stops play in the India verses Australia One Day international match at the MCG in Melbourne. February 2012 Source: AP

Over 70,000 spectators are expected at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 23rd, Friday evening for second Australia vs India Twenty Twenty (T20) game.

More than 100,000 tickets have already been sold and around 130,000 fans are tipped to come through the gates.

The final crowd will though depend largely on Melbourne Cricket Club members turning up in large numbers for the blockbuster encounter between Australia and India.

Source: SBS Hindi

While the rains interrupted and affected the first T20 played on Wednesday evening at the Gabba, Brisbane, will we see similar disruptions in the second T20?

According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), 3 to 10 mm rain is expected on Friday.

“There’s a high chance (80%) of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon,” BoM says.

Weather.com predicts overcast with rain showers at times on Friday evening.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), 3 to 10 mm rain is expected on Friday. Source: BoM

What happens if it rains?

·          The on-field umpires will determine when the rain is too heavy for play to continue

·          The ground staff will at that point put the covers onto the square – the level of coverage will determine how heavy the rain is and how long they believe it will stay around for

·          A determination of when play might commence/recommence is that the ground staff will confirm how long it will take them to prepare the ground once the rain has stopped

·          Depending on how long this might be, breaks may be called during this period however this will be determined by the very complicated playing conditions.

"Fans undeterred"

However, the likelihood of the match being interrupted by rains has not deterred cricket fans.

“MCG has one of the best drainage systems in the world. Even if it rains, I am sure there will at least be a 10-over game,” says Rajul Sharma, President of Bharat Army, Australia who is flying down to Melbourne from Adelaide to see the match.

“We know it is going to rain but we are really, really optimistic for the Friday game,” he told SBS Hindi.

Virat Kohli (left) of India and Aaron Finch (right) of Australia are seen posing for a photo with the series trophy at the Gabba in Brisbane. Source: AAP Image/Darren England

The 2nd T20 will be a crucial one for the Indian Cricket Team as they look to make a comeback. This T20 will also be a decisive one as it will seal the fate of the series.

MCG Gates open 5 pm. The match starts at 6.50 pm local time.

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