With a dozen group stage matches already suspended due to persistent rain, the round of 16 of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 are filled with tension as the weather poses a major threat to the upcoming semi-finals. The playing conditions set by the ICC will be of vital importance in determining which team advances to the final. The first semi-final faces a dominant England against a resistant South Africa in Guwahati.
Women’s World Cup 2025: Weather forecast for the Guwahati semi-final between England and South Africa
The weather outlook for the first semi-final between England and South Africa, scheduled for Wednesday, October 29 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, appears to be the more favorable of the two knockout matches. The venue has a positive record so far in the tournament, as the three matches played there have not been eliminated.
According to AccuWeather’s forecast, conditions for Wednesday are described as mostly fair, suggesting a high probability of a full day of play. However, the threat of weather intervention cannot be completely ruled out as there remains a 25 per cent chance of rain during the scheduled match time. Humidity is expected to be around 66 percent. While the forecast is optimistic, this lingering risk of rainfall means that the ICC’s specific playing conditions for the rain-affected knockout matches remain very relevant and could still play a decisive role in the outcome of this crucial encounter, keeping both teams and their fans on edge as they wait for clear skies.
What is the scenario if ENG vs SA semi-final 1 in Guwahati is canceled due to rain?
To ensure a result is achieved, the ICC has a reserve day for this semi-final, which is scheduled for Thursday, October 30. The primary objective is to complete the match on the scheduled day, even if it requires a reduction in overs, with a minimum of 20 overs per side required to constitute a valid game. If the match is interrupted by rain on Wednesday and the overs are reduced but play cannot be restarted, the match will begin again on the reserve day as a full 50-over contest.
However, if the match resumes in reduced overs and is then stopped again due to rain, it will continue on the reserve day from the exact point at which it was stopped, under the same reduced overs conditions. In the ultimate scenario where persistent rain washes away play on both the scheduled day and reserve day without a 20+ match being completed, the team that finished highest in the group stage points table will advance to the final.
For this specific semi-final, that rule greatly favors England. Having finished second in the points table with 11 points, England would be the team to advance to the final if the weather prevented achieving a result during the allotted two days.
This article was first published in WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
