Weather likely to be biggest factor at women's T20 World Cup semi-finals

Australia and England will be knocked out if Thursday's matches in Sydney are rained off

The weather forecast for Thursday's women's T20 World Cup semi-finals in Sydney is not good. AP

Weather is set to play a major role as the women’s T20 World Cup in Australia approaches the finish line.

Heavy rain in Sydney is threatening to wash out Thursday’s semi-final clashes, putting the spotlight on the tournament schedule and the contingency plans.

England take on India in the first semi-final in Sydney while defending champions Australia play South Africa late on for a spot in the final.

However, since Australia finished second in Group A, they will be knocked out by Group B winners South Africa if their semi-final at Sydney Cricket Ground is washed out.

Similarly, India will progress to Sunday's final in Melbourne if their game is rained off.

Cricket Australia (CA) had spoken with the International Cricket Council about the possibility of a reserve day, but were told it was not possible under tournament rules, CA chief Kevin Roberts said.

"It's not part of the playing conditions and we respect that," Roberts said.

"It gives you cause to reflect and think about how you might improve things in the future but going into a tournament with a given set of playing conditions and rules, I don't think it's time to tinker ... as much as with an Australian hat I might love that."

Stormy weather is forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology throughout Thursday. However, the Australian board had defied a similarly dismal forecast to complete a 12-overs a side match in the final of the Big Bash League at the same venue last month.

"We're optimistic based on the drainage at the SCG combined with a weather forecast that is not perfect but not terrible either," Roberts added.

"We're really hopeful and planning for different scenarios tomorrow night but the important thing is getting our team ready to play a 10-over match, a 12-over match, an 18-over match or whatever it happens to be if it's not a full 20-over contest."

For the hosts, the immediate priority is to fill the void created by all-rounder Ellyse Perry's exit from the tournament due to a hamstring injury.

"We've got a few options that we're looking at to replace Ellyse," Australia captain Meg Lanning said.

"Obviously we can't truly replace her, but we've got a number of different options to go with depending on the conditions."

Meanwhile, England captain Heather Knight said her team is preparing for any type of game – truncated or otherwise.

"We'll have a chat about what our strategy is, we'll be quite clear about how we want to do things but we'll have to be flexible," she said.

"A lot of us have played in rain-reduced games before and it's all about who switches on the fastest, who adapts very quickly and who ultimately performs in that short space. It can be quite manic if it is a rain-reduced game.

"The good thing about our team is that we've got a lot of variety, a lot of different skillsets in bowling and batting, so we feel like we can adapt to any situation we're thrown in to."

When it comes to the opposition, England will be wary of India opener Shafali Verma who has risen to the top of the player rankings.

The 16-year-old has gone from strength to strength during the tournament, registering scores of 29, 39, 46 and 47. Her 161 runs have come at a strike rate of 161 and have seen her climb to No 1 in T20 rankings for women batters.

The other Indian player looking to make an impact is leg-spinner Poonam Yadav, who has taken nine wickets in the tournament, including 4-19 in the win over Australia.

Knight added: "She's a massive threat for them and is an improved bowler since the last World Cup, so for us to be successful, we're going to have to play her and all their spinners well. That's going to be key in the game."