World Cup 2019: All you need to know about 'Reserve Days' for knock-out stage

A reserve day is required if the match officials decide that the ground and pitch conditions are not suitable for play to continue on the scheduled match day

The International Cricket Council (ICC) released information regarding reserve days for the ICC World Cup 2019 knock-out stages as the rain-threat looms large over both the clashes. The first semi-final is scheduled to be played between India and New Zealand on Tuesday at the Old Trafford Manchester. An overcast condition has been predicted and the rains are likely to play the spoilsport. The 2^nd semi-final between Australia and England is also expected to be troubled by bad weather in Birmingham. In that case, a reserve day would be required if the match officials decide that the ground and pitch conditions are not suitable for play to continue on the scheduled match day. Purpose of ‘Reserve Day’ All the steps are taken to finish the match on the scheduled date even if it requires shortening the match up to 20-overs per side or extending the match up to 120 minutes. If there is still no result on the scheduled match day, then the play goes on the reserve day, and the same time and hours of play are used as the scheduled match day. If no overs are bowled on the scheduled match day, then a full-50 overs per side match takes place on the reserve day if the weather permits. If the match ends up in a tie, super over is used to determine the winner. What happens if the reserve day also gets washed out? However, if no play takes place on the reserve day of the semi-final as well, then the higher placed team from the group stages progress to the finals of the tournament. If there is no play possible on either the scheduled day of the final or the reserve Day, the World Cup gets shared between the two finalist teams. Reserve days for the semi-finals and final of the World Cup: Semi-final 1: India vs New Zealand -July 10 Semi-final 2: England vs Australia -July 12 Final: Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 - July 15 There were no reserve days for the group stages of the tournament and as a result, four matches got abandoned due to rain and the apex cricketing body was criticised for not having reserve days in place.