Women's T20 World Cup, Semi-final, India vs England: As it happened

India have qualified for the semi-final of the Women's T20 World Cup for the very first time after their semi-final tie against England was washed out in Sydney on Thursday.

India have qualified for the semi-final of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women's T20 World Cup for the very first time after their semi-final tie against England was washed out without a ball bowled at the  Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, the toss for the first semi-final clash between the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side and England was delayed due to heavy rain in Sydney. 

The Harmanpreet-led side has progressed further in the showpiece tournament as they ended the group stage unbeaten. Kaur's side kicked off their campaign with a 17-run win over defending champion and four-time winner Australia before they clinched an 18-run and a narrow three-run win over Bangladesh and New Zealand, respectively. 

England, meanwhile, slumped to a six-wicket defeat against South Africa in the opener before they bounced back to clinch back-to-back wins against Thailand, Pakistan and West Indies.

Similarly, South Africa will storm into the final if the second last-four tie against Australia at the same venue also gets washed out on Thursday. South Africa ended Group B unbeaten following back-to-back wins over England, Thailand, Pakistan.

Here are the highlights: 

05 March 2020

11:09 IST

The match has been abandoned without a ball bowled due to incessant rain in Sydney. As a result, England's campaign at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup has come to an abrupt end. 

Match abandoned without a ball being bowled.

A gutting way for our #T20WorldCup journey to end.#WeAreEngland pic.twitter.com/xXROAIU9j4

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 5, 2020

11:08 IST

For the first time in the history of the tournament, India have qualified for the final. 

 MATCH ABANDONED 

For the first time in their history, India have qualified for the Women's #T20WorldCup final  pic.twitter.com/88DHzqTbnK

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) March 5, 2020

10:43 IST

The toss must take place by 12:06 a.m in order to keep alive England's hopes of making it to the semi-final. 

No sign of a let up in Sydney 

We need a toss by 5.36am (UK) to keep our #T20WorldCup hopes alive.#WeAreEngland pic.twitter.com/xKi7aDuWzW

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 5, 2020

10:07 IST

The covers are still on at the Sydney Cricket Ground as an official announcement on the start of play is yet to be made.

The current scene at the SCG#T20WorldCup | #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/avxHxS7tjy

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) March 5, 2020

09:23 IST

In order to have a 10-over per side match, the toss must take place by 11:06 a.m and play must commence by 11:21 a.m. 

☔ India v England weather update

To complete a 10 over a side match, the toss must be held by 4.36pm local time, and play must commence by 4.51pm local time.

We will keep you updated as the day progresses.#INDvENG | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/MVUfMBcuC4

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) March 5, 2020

09:08 IST

The toss for the clash has been delayed due to rain. 

It's raining in Sydney and the toss for the #INDvENG semifinal is delayed.

11:06 IST is the cut-off time for the toss.
11:21 IST is the cut-off time for the game to start. #T20WorldCup #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/aLov06ksNk

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) March 5, 2020

09:03 IST

England have always remained a tough team to beat for India especially in ICC events and T20Is.

09:02 IST

India are set to clash with England in the first semi-final of the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Thursday.