Australia vs England – T20 World Cup LIVE: Match becomes FOURTH T20 World Cup tie to be abandoned

Correct decision

The rain is coming down in Melbourne once more so it does seem as if the umpires made the right decision in calling off this one.

Here's hoping that England have more luck with conditions for their remaining two group games.

Thanks for joining us and see you next time! - I'm off for a game of rugby with the England boys.

Where are we now?

The point that each team will take from this abandonment isn't of much benefit to either side.

Interestingly though, it lifts England to third in the group one table while also decreasing their chances of qualification by 4%.

Australia's chances of qualification have not dropped by as much - just 1% - owing to their favourable remaining fixtures against Ireland and Afghanistan.

Those last two games will prove pivotal.

Game off

It's a shame for all of us who were hoping for some play here, but a five over game would have been a distasteful way for one of these sides to be eliminated from this tournament.

Australia play Ireland on Monday in what has become a crucial game for both sides.

Meanwhile, England take on New Zealand on Tuesday in Brisbane in a must-win match for Jos Buttler's team.

Match abandoned

Despite the umpires' best intentions, the match has been abandoned.

Key man for Australia

If we do get a shortened game here then the Australians will be hoping that Marcus Stoinis can replicate the ferocious power hitting that he unleashed on Sri Lanka last Tuesday.

The tall Australian battered 59 runs off just 18 balls to rescue a game that Australia looked like they might lose.

Loose turf

It would seem that the main point of contention for the umpires is some sodden turf at the corner of the square that represents a slipping hazard for the players.

I'm running the risk of turning this into a gardening blog.

Here's Aleem Dar pushing the end of his umbrella into that pesky outfield.

Pitch issues

The covers have been completely removed from the pitch but there's not much more that the ground staff can do.

They need the rainwater that's sitting in the outfield to dry but it's been dark in Melbourne for a few hours now so its not evaporating off very quickly.

Frustratingly, it's also unseasonably cold in Melbourne.

Optimists

The Australian fans are looking hopeful that we'll get some play here.

Integrity

While everyone is keen to ensure that there is at least some play in this much-anticipated fixture, there is an argument to be made that a World Cup match should not be decided by a five over game.

Mind you, some people think the sport is already on its way to being reduced to this extent in the not-so-distant future so maybe we're going to get a taste of it here.

Inspection outcome

We're going to give it another 20 minutes and hold a further inspection at 10.50am UK time.

The umpires are responsible for players safety if the match does begin so they are understandably reluctant to make a hasty decision.

Inspection update

The umpires are on their way back to the middle for another round of pitch prodding and frowning.

A reminder that the latest we can possibly start is 11.45am UK time.

If we don't start by that time then both sides will be awarded a point each.

Old foes?

The rivalry between England and Australia is arguably the oldest and most storied in all of sport.

Although there doesn't seem to be a lot of animosity between both sets of players these days.

Here's Adil Rashid and Sam Curran having a right laugh with some of the Australian players.

I don't know if Roy Keane likes cricket but I bet he'd be angry if he saw this.

Weather update

Good morning to everyone in the UK, here is your Melbourne weather update.

The big rain cloud that has been dousing the MCG all day has moved on.

Showery rain is moving down Australia's east coast and could cause us more interruption as the evening wears on.

Keeping busy

The players are trying their best to stave off the boredom while they wait for play to start.

Here’s England’s Liam Livingstone playing with a rugby ball and Australia’s Adam Zampa posing for photographs with fans.

Shane Warne

Today’s game is due to be the first time Australia have played at the MCG since Shane Warne’s passing.

The stadium played host to some of the most historic moments in Shane Warne’s career, including when he took his 700^th test wicket on boxing day in 2006 against England.

The stadium was also the venue for the great man’s memorial service on 30^th March.

Inspection outcome

The umpires are taking issue with the water that has accumulated at the edge of the square.

We are going to have another inspection in half an hour's time.

Inspection update

The umpires are out in the middle prodding the pitch and make faces.

They're chatting with the two captains, Aaron FInch and Jos Buttler.

We should have a decision soon.

Betting odds

Let's have a look at what the bookies think of this game while we wait for the outcome of the pitch inspection.

• England 10/11
• Australia 4/5

Odds provided by

Pitch inspection

We're going to have a pitch inspection in around ten minutes time where we should get an idea of the appetite for the match taking place.

Fingers crossed!

Would England prefer a cancellation?

If we see no play today and both sides leave with a point then it may be of more benefit to England.

England's net run rate of 0.24 is better than the Australians' -1.55.

Jos Buttler's team do, however, have tougher assignments in their last two fixtures - New Zealand and Sri Lanka, while the Australians play Ireland and Afghanistan.

Some good news

The big sheet that covers the square is being removed!

It hasn't rained for around ten minutes now.

Maybe we will get some play after all.

Cut off time

The match will be abandoned if it has not commenced by 9.46pm in Melbourne.

That's 11.46am our time so looks like we're going to be in this holding pattern for a little while yet.

Reduced game

The shortest match that we could end up with is a five over contest.

If that comes to pass, expect both teams to shuffle their teams to front-load their batting line ups as there is very little benefit to holding players back for the middle overs!

Matthew Wade

Australian wicket-keeper Matthew Wade tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday but under tournament rules can continue to play without having to quarantine.

He is said to be suffering from only mild symptoms but his inclusion will be assessed by medical staff before he is given the go-ahead to play today.

Wade is the only specialist wicket-keeper in Australia’s squad.

Muddy MCG

Even though the covers are firmly on the square, the outfield will still need time to dry even if the rain clears up.

Sections of the MCG pitch have been so saturated with the rain that has blighted Australia's east coast in recent weeks that it's starting to resemble Glastonbury in 1995.