The England and Pakistan staff will be mulling over the weather chart as well as tactics in the run-up to the final of the Twenty20 World Cup, with a gloomy forecast threatening to end the decider at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Heavy rain is expected on Sunday’s match day and Monday’s reserve day as the multi-year La Nina weather trend continues to drench much of eastern Australia.
A number of Super 12 matches have already been lost in the tournament, although the semi-finals went off without a hitch in Sydney and Adelaide.
While the forecast may dampen the crowd at the MCG, organizers will go ahead with a 7pm (0800 GMT) kick-off on Sunday and hope each side squeezes in the minimum required 10 overs for the final.
If the match starts on Sunday and cannot be completed, it will resume on Monday at 3pm (0400 GMT), giving the players a nervous night’s sleep.
If Sunday is completely washed out, the match will start at 3pm on Monday, with teams on notice to be prepared to stay well into the evening if the weather forces it.
In the worst-case scenario where Monday is also washed out, there will be joint winners for the first time in a World Cup.
However, Melbourne is known to have “four seasons in one day”, especially in spring, and forecasts are often wide-ranging.
Pakistan played a strong game against India in their Super 12 blockbuster at the MCG despite heavy rain.
Rain was also expected on Friday, but Pakistan trained under clear skies at the MCG.
Pakistan team mentor Matthew Hayden, who correctly predicted that struggling captain Babar Azam would return to form with the bat in the semi-final against New Zealand, was counting on the weather to cooperate.
“There was a huge chance of rain today and here we are,” Hayden told reporters at the MCG.
“The wicket is looking great… who knows the Melbourne weather?
“On this day, I’m sure Melbourne will open up enough for a 10-over match.”
