Rains threaten a damp squib

Having been mauled in the two-Test series, Australians were looking for some practice after resting on Thursday but the incessant rains derailed their plans. The scheduled morning practice for Australia, who have six replacements in their one-day side, had to be cancelled as heavy showers inundated the ground, leaving little scope for either fielding drills or a stint at the ‘nets.’ The Indians had planned their practice session in the afternoon, but with rains unrelenting, they remained confined to their hotel rooms.

It has been raining here for the last two days and the forecast is for overcast conditions for at least for the next two days, putting a big question mark over the fate of the opening match of the three-match series at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium on Sunday.   

The organisers have been doing their best, but continued rains are putting a spanner in their works. Just when they were contemplating taking the covers off to dry the ground in the afternoon, the skies opened up again.

“Three super soppers are being pressed into service and hundreds of ground staff aer working round the clock to ready the ground. We are looking to first dry the 30 yards of the playing area, after which the outfield will be taken up for mopping,” said Kerala Cricket Association secretary TC Mathews, recalling the similar situation they faced three years ago. “A lot of people doubted if the match would happen after heavy rains, but it began on time,” he said, hoping for the miracle to repeat itself.