[hemanth.anand]

This is the recent update on www.espncricinfo.com

Just a recap of the playing conditions. We begin losing overs only after an hour's play is lost. In case the match is not completed today, we have a reserve day tomorrow with play resuming from where it stops. If we have lost overs today, and then a further interruption pushes us into tomorrow, the match will continue to be a curtailed one. If over two days we don't get a result, New Zealand will go through by the virtue of having finished higher in the group stages
I must repeat that my stating the playing conditions has nothing to do with the weather conditions right now. This shouldn't be a very long interruption. At any rate if the interruption is long enough to not allow South Africa bat any further, the target for New Zealand is likely to be 264 in 38 overs

This is interesting...If NZ go through, it'll be unfair on SA. Rains have never been good for SA

[Eddy]

Rain is playing ping pong. From cricinfo

5.30pm Looking better at Eden Park. Brighter. Rain is softer

5.26pm A minute later, the rain has got harder, says Firdose Moonda

5.25pm Still a drizzle around at the Eden Park. The annoying variety, says Andrew McGlashan

[y448]

Forecast is not really bad so the match should happen today itself l. But what will really undo SA is if they do not get to bat again and NZ gets a target of 268 in 38 overs, AB was starting to fire on all cylinders.

[benbsb29]

Originally Posted by y448

Forecast is not really bad so the match should happen today itself l. But what will really undo SA is if they do not get to bat again and NZ gets a target of 268 in 38 overs, AB was starting to fire on all cylinders.

That's sad, if it turns out that way. Its like you shift into a higher gear just to have a speedbreaker just spring out of nowhere!

[Eddy]

Miller's playing as if this is an IPL game... Totally Killer Miller style. 43 off 15 balls (not out)

[saket77]

Forget ABD, it is now Miller in the charge! Can we see fastest fifty here?

[saket77]

Originally Posted by saket77

Can we see fastest fifty here?

No, the record would still be in name of ABD. Gets out on 49! Deserved his 50. But SA is on carnage...if they get past 280, then it should be a good score to compete in a 43 over game.

Edit: They finish at 281/5. Early NZ wickets is the key for SA. I am supporting SA here.

[joe1980]

Even I would like SA to win this match. They have been unlucky many times in the past World Cup matches and I hope that this time it turns in their favor!

[y448]

Talk about blessing in disguise, I thought they were unlucky to loose Faf 2nd ball after the break!! Turns out that was the best thing to hapen for SA, what a terrific knock from Miller (SA's luck is not all that bad today)

Waiting for Baz and co, to see if they can handle Steyn time to see if SA bowling chokes?

[saket77]

Originally Posted by joe1980

Even I would like SA to win this match. They have been unlucky many times in the past World Cup matches and I hope that this time it turns in their favor!

Looks like luck is indeed in favor of the SA. NZ would need 298 runs in their 43 overs to go through to the final acc. to the D/L method. Looks like this time, for a change, NZ is on the receiving end against the ever unlucky SA.

[carwatcher]

My take on this match...
The rain definitely disturbed the tempo for the spectators and followers.
The rain came when SA was 216 in 38 overs, so at best they could have scored 350-375.
Considering that, 298 in 43 overs is pretty reasonable for NZ only thing is that they have 10 wickets at their disposal in 43 overs.
I won't say it's unfair for any team esp SA as they knew before the toss that this match would be interrupted by rain at some point of time and even NZ would have batted first.
I now seriously hope and pray that nothing dramatic happens i.e. rain now and we get the proper match and proper result so no more room for ifs and buts in history.

Did someone notice the slightly disappointed look on the face of McCullum's and Simon Doull's face after the NZ lost the toss.

[msdivy]

Originally Posted by saket77

Looks like luck is indeed in favor of the SA. NZ would need 298 runs in their 43 overs to go through to the final acc. to the D/L method. Looks like this time, for a change, NZ is on the receiving end against the ever unlucky SA.

298 in 43 is better than chasing 400 in 50 overs.

[saket77]

Originally Posted by msdivy

298 in 43 is better than chasing 400 in 50 overs.

I do not think that SA could have added about 200 runs in 12 overs that were remaining at the time rain started. I still believe that this time the method employed is fair to both teams with equal chances to both.
Back to game, NZ is firing as expected. SA would need to take early wickets to slow down the RR and pressurize them. Remember it is a fight for the finals in a WC and it will be easy to feel the pressure after the loss of a couple of wickets at early stages. And the last thing anyone would want will be rains again!

[hellmet]

Ohh, 53runs in 4 overs.. This is incredible batting.

Edit: McCulum already hit his 50! Insane

[Gannu_1]

67 runs and 5 overs ain't over yet! My goodness, McCullum is on fire!

Guptill is waiting on the other end and just watching the game.