JOHANNESBURG, Feb 20: Rain could yet become as significant an influence as Brett Lee, Shoaib Akhtar, Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara at the 2003 cricket World Cup.

Australia almost became the latest victims of South Africa’s recent bad weather on Thursday.

Ricky Ponting’s team only escaped with all four points from Potchefstroom thanks to a police helicopter — used to help blow-dry the pitch — and their co-operative opponents.

The Dutch amateurs could have justifiably argued the soggy surface was not fit for cricket but instead voted unanimously to play, determined to enjoy their big day against the world champions.

One match, however — West Indies versus Bangladesh — has already been rained off, depriving Carl Hooper’s side of two certain points against weaker opponents.

Two other games, including the pivotal Group ‘B’ encounter between New Zealand and South Africa, have also been affected by downpours, leading to revised run chases.

With no time to replay first-round matches, the weather could have a big influence on team prospects right up to the semifinals, according to Australia coach John Buchanan.

“Teams going through to the Super Six would like to take a maximum of 12 points,” Buchanan said. “In our situation, assuming we qualify, it (a rained-off game) potentially brings our points back closer to the other teams.

“Therefore it’s more bunched and alters the dynamics of the whole Super Six section.”

Teams take four points from each victory against fellow qualifiers into the Super Six second phase, as well as one point for each win against eliminated sides.

Buchanan added that some teams hoping to qualify for the second round “might not even get there” because of bad weather, adding: “If they do get there it means it’s life on the edge and they just can’t afford to lose another game.”

The West Indian wash-out at Benoni on Tuesday had already had a significant effect on South African chances of staying in the tournament.

Shaun Pollock’s team lost two of their first three games, leaving them reliant on other results to avoid an early exit.

But the West Indies’ misfortune means they will now almost certainly qualify just by winning their last three matches, whatever other results. Pollock said the rain had given his team “a lifeline”.

Bad weather has had a huge effect on the cricket World Cup before.

In 1992 it played a large part in deciding both finalists.

Pakistan, the eventual champions, lost three first-round matches but were saved by the rain against England after being bowled out for 74 in Adelaide. Had they lost that game, they would have been eliminated at the first hurdle.

South Africa, meanwhile, well-placed in their semifinal against England, were robbed of a chance of victory as rain cut short the match in Sydney.

A spokesman at the South African Weather Bureau forecast better weather from Saturday, despite the chance of some thunderstorms, with good prospects over the next week. “Beyond seven days, it’s guesswork,” he added.

South Africa play Bangladesh at Bloemfontein on Saturday, when England meet Pakistan in a day-nighter in Cape Town.—Reuters