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As an outdoor activity, cricket can often be affected by the weather and other outside variables that may cause play to be interrupted. When a game is suspended, it indicates that play has been stopped for the time being but may be started later.
A suspended match in cricket is when play is temporarily stopped because of unexpected circumstances.
1. Rain or Wet Outfield:
The most common cause of suspension is rain. Even if the rain stops, the outfield might still be too wet for safe play.
2. Bad Light (Especially in Test Cricket):
If the natural light deteriorates to a point where players' safety is in danger, so umpires stop to play cricket.
3. Dangerous Pitch Conditions:
Umpires may stop the game if the pitch becomes too risky for batters.
4. Security Threats:
Officials may be forced to temporarily stop play due to crowd disturbances, protests, or bomb threats.
5. Player Injuries or Medical Emergencies:
It is Rare, however play may be stopped in the event of a catastrophic accident or medical emergency.
An abandoned if match is completely off. Whereas a suspended match is just stopped merely and may resume later.
Suspended Match:
Play may resume and Overs may be reduced in limited-overs cricket.
Example: Rain stops play for 2 hours, then resumes.
Abandoned Match:
No more play possible; match ends prematurely.
Result may be a no-result (ODIs/T20s) or draw (Tests).
Example: Heavy rain washes out an entire day with no chance of continuation.
When play resumes in limited-overs cricket (ODIs and T20s), the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method is frequently used to reduce overs in order to set new targets.
In Test Cricket:
On later days, lost time can be recovered up.
If too much time is lost, the match may end and declare it draw.
1. Rain-suspended 2007 ICC World Cup Final
Rain caused Australia vs. Sri Lanka to be shortened to 38 overs, because of almost complete darkness.
2. Final of the 2019 ICC World Cup (Super over Suspension)
After England and New Zealand were deadlocked, a Super Over was played, and England won
on the basis of boundaries.
3. India vs. Sri Lanka, 1996 World Cup Semi-Final (Crowd Trouble)
Riots forced the match to be suspended and later awarded to Sri Lanka.
1. What does it mean when a match is suspended?
Rain or poor lighting can cause a match to be suspended, but it can restart later.
2. What is follow-on in Test cricket?
If the second-batting team is down by 200 runs (5-day Test) or 150 runs (4-day Test), they must bat again immediately.
3. How many runs are needed to avoid follow-on in cricket?
To avoid follow-on in a five-day test, the team which batting second needs to score within 200 runs of the first innings total.
