Only 22 balls of play possible by Sa’adi Thawfeeq

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Event:

Unitech Cup 2006

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DateLine: 18th August 2006

 

Finally there was some cricket played in Colombo which has been experiencing one of its worst weather patterns unusual for this time of the year, but only just. The first of three one-day internationals between Sri Lanka and India that replaced the cancelled Unitech tri-series when South Africa pulled out eventually got off to a start - a belated one at that due to bad weather which forced the covers to be kept on till 11.30 a.m (local time).

 

The game began at 2.30 p.m. under bright sunshine and Rahul Dravid calling correctly decided to bat first much to the amazement of everyone in the ground. It was surprising because the pitch had been under covers for a considerable amount of time due to the rain and there would have been sweat on the surface. Also the SSC pitch has a history of assisting the fast bowlers in the first hour of play.

 

It did not take long for Dravid who came out to open the innings with Sachin Tendulkar to find out what the pitch had to offer. Both batsmen were beaten by the movement off the pitch by deliveries from Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga. Vaas, the master of accuracy twice rapped Dravid on the pads but the confident appeals were turned down by umpire Billy Bowden. Malinga, the slinger beat the bats of Dravid and Tendulkar without having the luck to find the edge. At his pace that ranges between 85-90 mph some of Malinga’s deliveries can be wayward and off two of them Dravid managed to secure boundaries one down the leg side and the other, a short wide delivery outside off stump which he despatched to cover.

 

While all this action was taking place big dark clouds were increasing in numbers and it was only a matter of time before the umpires offered the light to the batsmen. India moved quietly to 11 without loss in 3.4 overs before the two batsmen thankfully accepted the light that was murky, no doubt hoping that when the match resumes tomorrow conditions would be much brighter and helpful to them.

 

No sooner had the players retired to the comfort of the pavilion than rain accompanied by strong winds swept across the ground and within minutes the covers that had come in place were overflowing with water. Within an hour the rain was replaced with bright sunshine, but the damage had been done for the day and the saga continues.