Weather hits fourth one-dayer

BY Ravi Chakravarthy

Colombo

Aug. 26: For the first time in the one-day series, the rain gods came into play. Cricket and rains are generally inseparable companions, and in a way it was strange that the tournament had gone off without a hitch, until Tuesday. It was disappointing for the few thousands gathered at the R. Premadasa Stadium but then again, there is only so much one can do to combat nature.

The players, however, wouldn’t be complaining too much, for back-to-back games do take a toll on them and a break, however enforced it may be, is welcome.

It wasn’t a torrential downpour that put an end to the proceedings; for most part of the afternoon, it was an irritating drizzle which ensured that the covers would remain in place while the players stayed put in the dressing room.

The umpires, Billy Doctrove and Gamini Silva, despite knowing the obvious and the futility of the situation, were forced to wait until 6 pm before officially calling off the match. Thankfully, the organisers have earmarked a reserve day for all the games and as such the fourth match will be played on Wednesday, weather permitting, of course.

Potentially, Tuesday’s encounter could well have decided the series: with the Indians having won two successive games and going up 2-1, the momentum, however small, is with the visitors and Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men may have looked at it as possible chance to wrap up the series. As the hour progressed, the chance of a match kept slipping away, but the crowd, in some fervent hope, entertained themselves with their usual band of music. In a way, it was relief for the players too as they sat in the dressing room and enjoyed the show.

It’s surprising how even a rained out game can keep the spectators in good spirits; the Lankan crowd is nothing if not enthusiastic, and all afternoon they kept gyrating to the beats of the local baila music. Immaterial of whether a game was on or not, the crowd kept themselves busy with their own stuff.

Having said that, Dhoni would have looked at it as a missed opportunity. Having taken a day off in what was an optional practice session on Monday, Dhoni would certainly have been keen to close it out on Tuesday and not keep the series pending till the fifth encounter on Friday. As things transpire, the teams will have to play another set of back-to-back games on Wednesday and Friday, and the Indians will be hoping for a favourable result on the morrow.

If Dhoni’s men do pull it off on the reserve day, it would mean the reserves will come into play in the final match of the series. It would also mean some interest for guys like R.P. Singh and Parthiv Patel, who have spent the better part of the series carrying the drinks. Even Pragyan Ojha, saved for three overs in the field in the opening encounter, hasn’t had much to do and the trio will be hoping that their teammates give them a chance to have a go in the final game.

India haven’t won a bi-lateral series in the Emerald Isles in four successive tours and this series presents them with the best chance to set that record straight. With the Champions Trophy having been postponed to October 2009, the players are in with a chance of a rare month-long break. And it could well start with a series victory on Wednesday.