India reached their first women's Twenty20 World Cup final after their last-four clash against England was washed out Thursday, sparking calls to include reserve days in future events,
reports AFP.
Harmanpreet Kaur's unbeaten side were due to face the 2009 champions at the Sydney Cricket Ground, but the rain began pouring early in the day and barely let up.
With a minimum of 10 overs per side needed for a result and no break in the weather, the umpires called it off without a ball being bowled.
Normally, five overs a side are needed to constitute a Twenty20 match, but the rules are different for ICC tournaments. With no reserve day, the highest ranked teams from the two groups move into the final if play is not possible, putting India through.
"From day one, we knew we had to win all the games in case the semis didn't happen," said Kaur.
"First T20 World Cup final means a lot for us. But as a team, we just want to play our best cricket in the final."
Four-time champions Australia, who finished second in Group A, will be praying for the rain to ease for Thursday's second semi-final against South Africa, who topped Group B.
England captain Heather Knight had said before the match that "there will be a lot of pressure on the ICC to change" the rules.
"Really frustrating," she said after the washout. "Not how we wanted the World Cup to finish for us. No reserve day, no chance of getting play.
"I felt that we gained a bit of momentum in the last few games and we were pumped up for the
semi-finals."
