Zimbabwe head coach David Houghton expressed his disappointment over T20 World Cup officials to carry on with South Africa vs Zimbabwe game at Bellerive Oval, Hobart, despite "ridiculous rain". Houghton believes that the game should have been called off before South Africa's run chase began. The decision also led to Zimbabwe bowler Richard Ngarava getting injured in the second over.
“I understand the need to try to get these games (played) for the public and for everybody else,” Houghton told reporters.
In unfavourable conditions for bowling, Quinton de Kock smashed Zimbabwe bowlers around the park and almost finished the rain-curtailed hitting with his big-hitting. The South African opener scored 47 off just 18 deliveries including eight fours and one six before rain was too heavy for the game to carry on. South Africa had 51/0 on the board in three overs. They needed just 13 more runs to win the game as the revised target was 64 from seven overs.
“I understand the need for us to try to play in slightly inclement weather to try to get a result. I thought we overstepped the mark in this game. The umpires are making those decisions out in the middle. They seemed to think it was fit to play. I disagree with them, but there’s not much I can do off the field,” Houghton further elaborated.
“The rain had gotten so heavy at one stage, it was ridiculous. For most of the evening it was misty. But it got to the stage where we could hear it thumping on the rooftop in the dugout. That’s no longer … drizzle, that’s time to get off the field. There were difficult conditions for both sides but it just got more and more wet as we bowled,” the 65-year-old added.
As the game ended in no result, South Africa and Zimbabwe shared one point each. Rain robbed South Africa of a certain victory. Now, their next clash against current Group 2 table-toppers Bangladesh on October 27 becomes even more crucial.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe will take on Pakistan in their next encounter on the same day. They will hope that Ngarava’s injury is not serious as he had to leave the field after pulling his hamstring on October 24.
