The two semi-finals and final of T20 Blast 2023 will take place at Edgbaston today. There will be a great action on the field but the fans and players will continually have one eye on rain gods as well. Birmingham’s weather forecast on Saturday is not looking pleasant and it should be a surprise if we get to watch three uninterrupted games.
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Hosting three matches at the same stadium on the same day comes with its challenges and inclement weather conditions make is one of the biggest challenge. Whenever there is a rain threat for a knockout match, there are obvious questions around the presence of a reserve day. Let’s have a look at what happens if rain washes out even one of the three T20 Blast Finals Day matches today.
Good morning 👋
The clean-up has started. Doors open at 9am.
Essex 🆚 Hampshire starts at 11am.#Edgbaston | #FinalsDay pic.twitter.com/4S0EwOv88t
— Edgbaston Stadium (@Edgbaston) July 15, 2023
T20 Blast Finals Day 2023 Reserve Day
Thankfully, there is a reserve day on Sunday and it can be used in case weather gods don’t practice leniency. Having said that, the first and foremost priority of the match officials will be to try their level best to conduct all three matches tonight itself. A minimum of a five-over match has to be played in order to get a result out of these games.
If the final cannot be staged until 9:30 PM (local) tonight, it will be shifted tomorrow. The management wants the teams to have the opportunity of batting for the same number of overs. If no play is possible on Sunday as well, a ball-out will take place between sides in the indoor stadium.
Five bowlers from each team will have a go at the stumps and the team with maximum hits will be declared the winners. If there is a tie after five deliveries, then it will move to sudden death. If for some reason, even a ball-out is not possible, both the semi-finals will be decided with a coin toss.
What Happens If T20 Blast Final Is Canceled?
A minimum of a ball-out is required to find a result in the final. Unlike the semi-finals, the coin toss won’t take place to determine the winner. In such a situation, the trophy will be shared between the finalists in case of no play being possible in Birmingham on July 16.
Teams’ performances in the league stage will hold no value in T20 Blast 2023 final. Each team will have a fresh and equal opportunity to have a go at the trophy in the playoffs.
