Zimbabwe lost Richard Ngarava in the process, slipping on the wet surface and needing help leaving the field as the umpires' efforts to get a game on in poor conditions ultimately fell short
Hobart: Zimbabwe 79-5, South Africa 51-0 - no result
South Africa were left frustrated by the Hobart weather as their T20 World Cup opener descended into farce and ended without a result.
Zimbabwe seamer Richard Ngarava limped off injured after falling in his follow-through, while wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva slipped behind the stumps while moving down the legside in a game that had been reduced to nine overs per side and then to seven, before the rain was belatedly deemed to be too heavy just as South Africa were in touching distance of their revised victory target, but arguably long after the ground had been fit for play.
After three overs of their run-chase, the Proteas were already at the required DLS score needed for victory after five overs but were taken off and needed to return to the field for the game to be completed.
By then, though, the players might have already been off the field; to their credit, the umpires tried to facilitate a game from a suboptimal situation, but eventually conditions seemed to be testing the tournament's integrity as the rain came down and play carried on.
Quinton de Kock certainly got the message; he took 23 runs from the first over of the reply, bowled by Tendai Chatara, before a stoppage once the persistent rain became too severe. Once they returned to the field with an adjusted target, he kept on going and was ultimately 47 not out – in a score of 51 without loss – when the players were taken from the field for the final time.
Richard Ngarava left the field injured after slipping on the wet surface (David Gray/AFP via Getty Images)
A close lbw appeal against de Kock took crucial seconds out of the game, as did Ngarava's treatment following his fall.
For long stages earlier in the evening, the prospect of any play at all looked unlikely, but the rain stopped for long enough that the ground could be readied for a shortened game, albeit with a wet outfield.
Zimbabwe never really got going, though, and were reduced to 19 for 4 in the fourth over. Although Wessly Madhevere (35 not out) and Milton Shumba (18) put together a 60-run stand to give them a score of sorts.
Defeat seemed certain for Zimbabwe once de Kock got hold of Chatara, but the weather would have the final say, perhaps later than ought to have been the case.