6 instances when rain affected a team's chances at an ICC tournament

#3 South Africa at the 2003 World Cup

Rain and Mark Boucher’s miscalculation resulted in South Africa’s elimination from the 2003 World Cup and Shaun Pollock’s removal from captaincy

South Africa hosted the 2003 World Cup and were heavy favourites to win the tournament but they began poorly by losing to West Indies by three runs in the tournament opener. The Proteas were also dealt a huge injury blow as Jonty Rhodes was ruled out of the tournament after injuring himself during South Africa’s match against Kenya.

South Africa defeated Kenya, Bangladesh, and Canada but lost to New Zealand which meant that they would have to defeat Sri Lanka in their final group game at Durban in order to qualify for the Super 6s.

Sri Lanka batted first and Marvan Atapattu’s fabulous 124 assisted by Aravinda de Silva’s 73 took Sri Lanka to 268/9 in their 50 overs.

In reply, South Africa were off to a good start with openers Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs adding 65 for the opening wicket before the former was dismissed by De Silva. Gibbs scored a well-made 73 but wickets were falling on the other end as Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, and Boeta Dippenaar were dismissed cheaply.

However, the host’s batting was re-stabilized by Mark Boucher and skipper Shaun Pollock who added 63 for the sixth wicket before the latter was run out. Lance Klusener came in to join Boucher following Pollock’s dismissal.

As rain gradually began to pour in, Mark Boucher hit a massive six off Muttiah Muralitharan and just defended the following delivery thinking that South Africa had enough to qualify in case the Duckworth-Lewis Method came into the equation.

It soon began raining heavily and the play was halted. What Boucher did not know that South Africa had tied the match according to the Duckworth-Lewis Method which wasn’t enough to take them to the Super 6. At the time, South Africa needed 40 from 30 deliveries and with Boucher and the hard-hitting Klusener at the crease, they could have easily chased down had it not rained and would have qualified for the Super Sixes at the expense of Kenya.

Play did not resume and the match was tied with South Africa being eliminated.