Patience with weather wears out and semi-final abandoned

Typical. Murphy's Law even.

After a break in the weather was sufficient to see Bert Sutcliffe Oval dried off after all the overnight and early morning rain, just as the toss is about to be made, down it comes again.

The match was finally abandoned today at 4.30pm and will be played tomorrow.

It had been intended to start the ICC Under-19 World Cup semi-final game between Australia and the West Indies at 4.30pm but after all the preparations had been completed, the teams had warmed up and all appeared in readiness.

Under the tournament conditions it is possible to start the game on one day and complete it on the reserve day tomorrow.

The West Indies had named their side for the game but the Australians were waiting until the toss to release theirs.

The West Indians had opted to strengthen their batting by using Lendl Simmons as their wicket-keeper while Ravindranath Rampaul and Ron Matthews had forced their way into the side in place of Darren Sammy and Gavin Tonge. It meant the West Indies opted to try to spin the Australians out, Matthews being a leg-spin bowler.

Already in the side as spinners were Shane Shillingford (off-spinner), Alcindo Holder (off-spin) and Lorenzo Ingram (left-arm orthodox).

The West Indies side is: Narsingh Deonarine (captain), Donovan Pagon, Dwayne Bravo, Tonito Willett, Lendl Simmons, Lorenzo Ingram, Alcindo Holder, Ron Matthews, Ravindranath Rampaul, Ryan Nurse, Shane Shillingford.