Cricket: Rained-off Brisbane ODI could help Black Caps

Michael Clarke's return to the Australia team could be put on hold due to a cyclone. Photo / Getty Images

A looming tropical cyclone could rob Australia of Cricket World Cup victory on Saturday, handing the Black Caps the advantage in pool A.

Australia's meteorology office has forecast an 80 percent chance of rain, with thunderstorms on Saturday when Australia face Bangladesh at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Tropical Cyclone Lam is currently moving westwards along Northern Territory's coast, and is forecast to make landfall tonight. The storm is currently rated a Category 3, with wind gusts up to 165km/h and travelling west at 4km/h.

"Beautiful sunshine at the moment, but I think that's it for the day - we got a couple of days of wet weather," Australia coach Darren Lehmann said yesterday.

"We'll work out what the best XI is once it clears up. It might be different with overcast conditions and we might decide to play a different way, and it depends on the wicket."

The uncertainty over the weather has created doubts over Michael Clarke's scheduled return to the team after he missed last weekend's 111-run opening win against England at Melbourne.

A rained out affair would also work in the favour of the Black Caps who currently sit on top of pool A.

The Black Caps play England in Wellington tomorrow and a third win would give New Zealand a strong lead in the group ahead of next Saturday's clash with Australia.

That advantage would be lost with a defeat to Australia at Eden Park but would still mean Australia would have to avoid a defeat to Sri Lanka to finish ahead of New Zealand.

On the other side of the ledger, if Australia's next match is rained off and New Zealand beat England, then a victory at Eden Park would all but secure top spot for the Black Caps.