Australia and Sri Lanka met each other for an incredibly close match at the ICC Women’s World Cup in Colombo. The fix was in before the contest even began. Nonstop rain in Colombo made it impossible for umpires to start or complete the match. No team could bowl a ball, so both the teams got one point each.
The decision to call off the match came at 13:00 BST, as the weather forecast had predicted rain would play a significant role in the day’s events. In typical tournament fashion, the groundstaff left no stone unturned to protect the pitch using covers. Sadly, a persistent deluge left no other choice but to declare the match abandoned.
Due to no result from abandoned match, both Australia and Sri Lanka got one point each. Australia flew out in the early days to the top of the tournament table. They did this following on the heels of an enormous opening-game upset victory over powerhouse New Zealand. The defending champions showcased their superiority earlier in the tournament, having already earned a comfortable victory against New Zealand.
Sri Lanka went on to co-host the tournament with their rivals Australia. No doubt they took the field hoping to put on a show for their Memphis supporters. Just as quickly as it was announced, the weather snuffed out those plans, disappointing fans everywhere. They had been eager for an intriguing matchup between the two squads.
Neither squad got to play primacy at the plate. Players and fans alike sat anxiously in an empty stadium waiting in vain for what sounded like a thrilling match-up. The negative impact this had on the team’s overall record can’t be overstated. It also exposed the challenges that extreme weather poses to outdoor athletics.
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