India vs New Zealand Semifinal, ICC World Cup: Play to resume tomorrow as rain plays havoc

Rain has stopped play in Edgbaston after New Zealand were boosted by fifties from Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson. New Zealand has chosen to bat against India in the first semi-final at Old Trafford, Manchester. Jasprit Bumrah struck early as he removed Martin Guptill cheaply for 1 to dent the Kiwis' progress. Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls stitched a 68-run stand for the second wicket but Ravindra Jadeja struck by dismissing Nicholls for 28. Williamson and Ross Taylor held the key as New Zealand looked to build a solid total. The New Zealand skipper notched up his 39th fifty and became the second New Zealand player after Guptill to go past 500 runs in one edition. The partnership between Williamson and Taylor looked good until Yuzvendra Chahal got the big wicket of Williamson for 67. The onus was on Taylor and James Neesham to revive the innings. The rain interrupted play for more than four hours and the semi-final will resume tomorrow with New Zealand at 211/5 in 46.1 overs. Get highlights of the match here. (SCORECARD)

22:56 hrs IST: Finally, it is here. The game will be played tomorrow. New Zealand will resume their innings from where it was stopped. So, New Zealand will resume at 211/5 in 46.1 overs. The forecast for tomorrow is not too promising. Hope the rain stays away.

22:53 hrs IST: This is now reaching the heights of absurdity. There is a reserve day. Why are the umpires assuming the impossible? Sometimes, guidelines and common sense really do not go hand-in-hand.

22:50 hrs IST: More covers are coming on as the umpires are inspecting. All this is done due to undue pressure from broadcasters.

22:34 hrs IST: The hover-cover is still on and only one cover is still there. There is still 30 minutes to go for the Twenty20 game to begin but for that, the rain has to stop totally.

22:25 hrs IST: Oh dear, scrap that! The rain is back. The covers are coming back on. Ho-hum!

22:23 hrs IST: The hover-cover has come off. If everything goes according to plan, then the game could start before the cut-off time of 23:05 hrs IST.

22:19 hrs IST: There will be one final inspection at 18:10 hrs IST, which is 22:40 hrs IST.

22:12 hrs IST: These are the latest calculations. The DLS target, in case of a 20-over game, will be be 148. In case we manage a 25-over game, the target would be 172.

22:09 hrs IST: The cut-off time for a Twenty20 game is 23:06 hrs IST. This is about an hour away. Fingers crossed.

22:06 hrs IST: The covers are being peeled off now. The umpires are inspecting the ground. It looks like things are going well. Provided, it does not start raining again.

22:03 hrs IST: The super soppers are at work as the covers are taken off. We might still have a hope of a 20-over game.

22:00 hrs IST: The super-soppers are at work as the rain seems to have stopped. Still, there is no concrete news on whether the match will begin today or tomorrow.

UPDATE - It has stopped raining and the super soppers are at work.#CWC19 pic.twitter.com/dbuzocMb40

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 9, 2019

21:40 hrs IST: The rain has picked up at Old Trafford. This is the second band of rain coming. Meaning that the game could begin tomorrow. Thank god for reserve days.

21:33 hrs IST: The rain has started and gotten heavier. It looks like the game might be deferred to tomorrow. However, the forecast is not looking good for tomorrow as well with 80 percent chances of rain.

21:26 hrs IST: It is still drizzling in Manchester. The cut-off time for a Twenty20 game is 23:05 hrs IST. For that, the decision has to be taken at 22:00 hrs IST. If it continues to rain, the match will begin tomorrow and 46.2 overs.

🔷 🇮🇳 need to bat at least 20 overs for a result
🔷 If possible, a result will be reached today
🔷 If not, the game will continue tomorrow
🔷 If still no result is possible, 🇮🇳 will progress to the #CWC19 final, as group winners#INDvNZhttps://t.co/Xim0zBSCug

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 9, 2019

21:21 hrs IST: Now, we have close to 80 minutes to decide whether a Twenty20 game can take place today. Remember, play canbe extended for one hour more after the close  since it is a knock-out. However, the DLS always favours teams batting second.

21:13 hrs IST: It is still drizzling at the venue. Unless the rain completely stops, we cannot have any kind of activity on the covers or an inspection.

21:05 hrs IST: Now, it is official! We will start losing vers now. The covers are still in place. Not much of activity.

20:58 hrs IST: The sun is also out now but the rain is still coming down. However, there is not much activity. Unless it stops, there cannot be any activity or an inspection.

20:48 hrs IST: There are just 12 minutes to go beforeovers start reducing. In case, the match referee has not decided that a 20-over game will be possible, then the innings will resume from tomorrow.

20:43 hrs IST: The rain has gotten heavier now. This means that the New Zealand innings is done.

20:39 hrs IST: Correction! Since the lunch break will also be taken into consideration, overs will start reducing from 21:00 hrs IST, which is 16:31 hrs local time.

20:32 hrs IST: Here it is officially! We have started losing overs now. From this point on, the match referee has to decide whether the match will take place today or tomorrow depending on the rain situation.

20:13 hrs IST: The rain has reduced in intensity but it is still a drizzle. The super-soppers are already in work. The covers are still in place.

20:09 hrs IST: If there is a Twenty20 game, we might be having a two-day international as the cut-off time is 12:30 hrs IST.

20:03 hrs IST: It is still raining. However, it is not that heavy. The super-soppers are still in operation.

19:50 hrs IST: The rain is expected to last till 22:30 hrs IST. Remember, there is still a reserve day tomorrow. If the conditions are good, then the game will start from the point it was abandoned. However, it is upto the match referee, in this case, David Boon to make a decision whether the game can take place today.

19:33 hrs IST: Live visuals from the ground do not show a good picture. It is still pelting down and the covers are firmly in place.

19:16 hrs IST: We will start losing overs at 20:30 hrs IST. If it is a truncated game, then it is advantage New Zealand slightly.

19:00 hrs IST: The rain has gotten heavier in Manchester. This might go against New Zealand as they will have to operate with a wet ball. However, there is still plenty of time for the overs to get curtailed.

18:57 hrs IST: In case the rain forces a curtailed match, then the 46-over target for India will be 237 and a 20-over game will see India chasing 148 to reach the final.

18:40 hrs IST: OK! Here are the rules. Overs will start reducing only after two hours. However, if the rain persists throughout the day, then we will go into the reserve day. On the reserve day, the match will resume from that point in time when it was halted. However, if the match gets washed out even on the reserve day, then India go through to the final. As I type, the entire square is now covered as the rain gets heavier.

18:33 hrs IST: Rain has stopped play in Manchester. However, it seems to be passing showers and the delay might not be too long. After 46.1 overs, New Zealand 211/5.

18:29 hrs IST: Sloppy work from India in the field and New Zealand get some bonus runs. After 46 overs, New Zealand are 209/5.

18:22 hrs IST: WICKET! Short, slow ball climbing up on middle stump, Colin de Grandhomme unveils the ramp shot and then edges it to Dhoni. Crucial wicket for India. New Zealand are 200/5 in the 45th over.

18:20 hrs IST: Taylor has been given out! But he reviews as he misses the sweep. However, the impact is outside off. New Zealand are 197/4 in the 45th over.

18:18 hrs IST: Taylor blasts a six and a four and Colin de Grandhomme ends the over in style with a brilliant cut. 18 runs in the over and New Zealand are 197/4 after 44 overs.

18:14 hrs IST: Colin de Grandhomme gets a boundary and New Zealand are 179/4 after 43 overs.

18:08 hrs IST: New Zealand's run-rate has touched four for the first time. However, it seems a bit too late. After 42 overs, New Zealand are 170/4. Can they reach 240?

18:03 hrs IST: WICKET! Brilliant from Hardik Pandya. Full ball on leg stump, Neesham mistimes the lofted shot and he holes out to wide long on. After 41 overs, New Zealand are 162/4.

17:57 hrs IST: We are in the death overs now. New Zealand have struggled to show intent and rhythm. After 40 overs, New Zealand are 155/3.

17:53 hrs IST: New Zealand are trying to up the ante with Ross Taylor trying to slog away. After 39 overs, New Zealand are 151/3.

17:47 hrs IST: Almost a catch! New Zealand are totally clueless out there. James Neesham is confounded by the slow bouncer and taps it to the leg side where Rohit runs to his left and he cannot hold on. After 38 overs, New Zealand are 145/3.

17:44 hrs IST: New Zealand are running out of overs. They are not able to go after the bowling. After 37 overs, New Zealand are 140/3.

17:40 hrs IST: James Neesham has been promoted up the order. New Zealand are 136/3 after 36 overs.

17:37 hrs IST: WICKET! Superb stuff from Chahal and the big wicket is gone. Flatter delivery and it spins away, it kicks up a bit more as Williamson tamely cuts it to backward point where Ravindra Jadeja takes the catch. New Zealand are 134/3 after 35.2 overs.

17:33 hrs IST: Kane Williamson lofts Jadeja to deep extra cover but Rishabh Pant fields brilliantly. However, the New Zealand skipper slugs a flatter ball to deep midwicket and then gets beaten by the extra bounce. New Zealand are 133/2 after 35 overs.

17:28 hrs IST: Jasprit Bumrah continues to bowl in the right areas and New Zealand are 125/2 after 34 overs.

17:22 hrs IST: Williamson and Taylor are trying to build a solid platform and New Zealand are 122/2 after 33 overs.

17:13 hrs IST: Two top-edges but safe! Williamson gets a top  edge to a short ball from Hardik Pandya but the ball lands safely at fine leg. Couple of balls later, Ross Taylor also gets a top edge but the ball lands safely at mid wicket. New Zealand are 120/2 after 31 overs.

17:10 hrs IST: FIFTY! Brilliant from Captain Kane! His 39th fifty and what a crucial time it has come in. Sublime batting and Ross Taylor hits another boundary off Chahal. After 30 overs, New Zealand are 113/2.

17:06 hrs IST: New Zealand are making  good progress. After 29 overs, New Zealand are 105/2.

17:01 hrs IST: After 14 overs, New Zealand have a boundary. Williamson slog sweeps a ball to deep midwicket for a boundary. Ross Taylor gets an outside edge to the third man fence and after 28 overs, New Zealand are 99/2.

16:58 hrs IST: India have not leaked a boundary for the last 13 overs and New Zealand currently have no answers. After 27 overs, New Zealand are 89/2.

16:53 hrs IST: Williamson survives a run-out and Taylor survives an LBW shout. After 26 overs, New Zealand are 85/2.

16:50 hrs IST: The asking rate is dipping and New Zealand seem to have no answers. After 25 overs, New Zealand are 83/2.

16:46 hrs IST: Ravindra Jadeja continues to wheel away and New Zealand are 79/2 after 23 overs.

16:42 hrs IST: Spinners are bowling well in the middle overs and New Zealand are 77/2 after 22 overs.

16:39 hrs IST: Ravindra Jadeja bowls another good over and New Zealand are 74/2 after 21 overs.

16:36 hrs IST: Chahal bounces back after a steady start and New Zealand are 73/2 after 20 overs. Williamson and Taylor are the only hope for New Zealand now.

16:29 hrs IST: WICKET! Brilliant stuff from Sir Jadeja. The dangerous stand is broken as he gets this flatter delivery drifted across and it spins back in to breach his defence. New Zealand are 69/2 in the 19th over, Nicholls gone for 28.

16:27 hrs IST: Missed stumping by MS Dhoni off Yuzvendra Chahal. Nicholls was down the track but Dhoni could not collect this delivery. New Zealand are 68/1 after 18 overs.

16:21 hrs IST: Hardik Pandya is walking off. Not sure what the injury is. India need to break this stand quickly. New Zealand are 61/1 after 17 overs as Bhuvneshwar Kumar stops a boundary off a drive from Kane Williamson.

16:17 hrs IST: Nicholls survives a close run-out chance but the batsman was well in. After 16 overs, New Zealand are 57/1. The asking rate is just three but a solid base is being laid.

16:13 hrs IST: After the drinks break, Williamson and Chahal continue to make steady progress and after 15 overs, New Zealand are 55/1.

16:08 hrs IST: Poor fielding from Yuzvendra Chahal. Williamson carves a short ball to square third man but Chahal misfields and New Zealand are 52/1 after 14 overs.

16:03 hrs IST: Another steady over for New Zealand. India are searching for another wicket and New Zealand are 44/1 after 13 overs.

15:58 hrs IST: Williamson is beaten first ball from Pandya as the ball just misses the outside edge. He shows discipline and muscles a pull to the deep midwicket fence. After 12 overs, New Zealand are 38/1.

15:53 hrs IST: Henry Nicholls survives an LBW appeal and he glances Ravindra Jadeja to the fine leg boundary. After 11 overs, New Zealand are 34/1. The Kiwis need this partnership to survive.

15:49 hrs IST: Hardik Pandya is into the attack as India end the powerplay on top. After 10 overs, New Zealand are 27/1.

15:44 hrs IST: Superb stuff from New Zealand's skipper Kane Williamson. He presents the full face of the bat and drives Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the lpong on fence. After nine overs, New Zealand are 23/1.

15:39 hrs IST: New Zealand's batsmen are struggling to time the ball properly. This is a sluggish pitch and the bowlers are getting seam movement and extra bounce. Nicholls is struggling but he breaks the shackles with a lovely cover drive past extra cover. After eight overs, New Zealand are 18/1.

15:36 hrs IST: India is absolutely dominating the powerplay. After seven overs, New Zealand are 10/1.

15:29 hrs IST: New Zealand are just not able to find the fence. After six overs, New Zealand are 8/1. Advantage India in the powerplay.

15:24 hrs IST: Another tight over from Bhuveshwar. New Zealand are just not able to make progress. After five overs, New Zealand are 7/1.

15:20 hrs IST: Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar are building the pressure and only one run comes in the fourth over. After four overs, New Zealand are 2/1.

15:18 hrs IST: WICKET! Martin Guptill's poor form continues. Back of a length ball angled in outside off and it zips through, Guptill pokes at it and the edge is taken at slip by Kohli. Martin Guptill c Kohli b Bumrah 1. New Zealand 1/1 after 3.3 overs.

15:14 hrs IST: First runs for New Zealand as Guptill nudges a short ball to square leg. New Zealand 1/0 after three overs.

15:10 hrs IST: CONSECUTIVE MAIDEN OVERS! Jasprit Bumrah gets good seam movement and he bowls in the right channels. New Zealand are 0/0 after two overs.

15:06 hrs IST: MAIDEN OVER! Great start for Bhuvneshwar. Martin Guptill survives. Right, Jasprit Bumrah at the other end. Can India get the opening combination cheaply again?

15:04 hrs IST: REVIEW FIRST BALL! What a start. Bhuvneshwar gets this delivery to nip back in and Guptill is trapped on the front pad. India appeal and with just a second remaining, they take the review. However, the ball is missing leg stump. So, India have lost the review with the first ball of the game.

14:58 hrs IST: The national anthems are done. New Zealand's Aotearoa in Maori or God save New Zealand followed by India's Jana Gana Mana. Right, game on between India and New Zealand. Can Martin Guptill and Henry Nicholls give New Zealand a good start? Can Guptill finally come good or will his woeful run continue? Bhuvneshwar Kumar to start the proceedings.

14:52 hrs IST: You have seen New Zealand's statistic. Here is India's. Needless to say, they have a better record.

Take a look at how India has performed in World Cup semifinals#NZvsIND#INDvNZ#IndiaVsNewZealand

Follow LIVE match updates and score here: https://t.co/Xr1uX5ZkvW pic.twitter.com/zPVj9Tpcto

— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) July 9, 2019

14:50 hrs IST: Here are some of the statistics for both teams regarding the semi-finals.

New Zealand has lost 6 of the 7 semifinal matches that it has played. Take a look at how the Kiwis have fared in World Cup semifinal clashes

(Credit: IANS)#NZvsIND#INDvNZ#IndiaVsNewZealand

Follow LIVE match updates and score here: https://t.co/Xr1uX5ZkvW pic.twitter.com/aWb8IgGP5o

— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) July 9, 2019

14:47 hrs IST: Here are the playing XIs of both the sides.

India (Playing XI): Lokesh Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli(c), Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni(w), Dinesh Karthik, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand (Playing XI): Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham(w), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Trent Boult

14:34 hrs IST: New Zealand has won the toss and chosen to bat.Yuzvendra Chahal has replaced Kuldeep Yadav. Lockie Ferguson has replaced Tim Southee.

14:30 hrs IST: Maybe, India could include Kedar Jadhav as he has a superb record against New Zealand. In the past, he has dismissed Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson.

14:26 hrs IST: The hover cover is on the pitch. There is currently no rain. Whatever might be is very faint. However, the toss will take place on time.

14:24 hrs IST: The first indications from the ground is that Mohammed Shami might not be playing in today's game. So, it will be interesting to see what the team composition will be.

14:20 hrs IST: Will India make any changes in their squad? They have wonderful depth in both their batting and bowling. On the other hand, New Zealand will be determined to put up a better show as their performances in the last three games has been shoddy, especially the batting.

14:16 hrs IST: The current forecast in Manchester is cloudy and some rain is forecast for some time. However, there is a reserve day for both the semi-finals. The forecast in Manchester on July 10, however, is even worse as compared to today. Incase the game is washed out, India will qualify for the final as they finished on top of the group.

14:12 hrs IST: Firstly, the news. Old Trafford will be declared a no-fly zone after banners of 'Justice for Kashmir' and 'Free Balochistan' were shown in the sky during the games against Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as the game between India and Sri Lanka at Leeds.

14:07 hrs IST: A warm welcome to the first semi-final between India and New Zealand. Virat Kohli's Indian cricket team are in a great position. Many players and former commentators are not even giving New Zealand a chance. It looks like just a formality for their march to the final.