— Photo: S. Subramanium

MY TURN: Hussey (left) will stand in for Ponting, who is being rested, in Monday's tie .

Kuala Lumpur: At 3 p.m. local time on Sunday, the clouds burst, and deposited their contents on most parts of Malaysia's capital. By this time, however, the Australian optional session had wound up, and the West Indies side, practice done, had long since helped itself to meat and potatoes, and boarded the coach to the hotel.

By this time on Monday, the two teams should be locked in combat at the Kinrara Oval. In an attempt to circumvent the weather gods' whims, the remaining league matches have been rescheduled to start an hour earlier.

But, Sunday's rains marked the fourth consecutive day umbrellas have been opened; most concerned will be praying for a full game of cricket. Team India may just be praying for a bit more — an Australian win. For, any other result will force Rahul Dravid's men into a position where they have to win their last two league games, weather permitting, and hope the other matches pan out obligingly.

Priority

West Indies captain Brian Lara would have none of it. "We didn't come here to sneak into the final," he said. "We came here to play good cricket, and make the final with good play. Yesterday's match (India-Australia) certainly opens up the tournament. But, we can't worry too much about that, it'll only muddy the waters. Beating Australia tomorrow is our number one priority."

Left-hander Mike Hussey will captain Australia as Ricky Ponting takes a breather. "I'm not looking to change too much," said Hussey. "The team has been playing pretty well in the tournament, and over the past few years. Ricky has got a very good plan, and we've got a good culture. And I'm also lucky that I've got some very good senior players around me who can help me." Now that he is captain, will he promote himself up the order? "I'll think about maybe sliding up," quipped Hussey, who has had success filling out Michael Bevan's shoes in the middle order.

"No, not really. I think I've got a very specific role in the team, and one that I really enjoy playing."

Making a comeback is left-handed opener Matthew Hayden. "It's been a long time since I played one-day cricket for Australia," he said. "I'd like to think that performances in Test cricket have probably led me to this position. The short-term goal is obviously to play well in the next two games, and then have a wonderful preparation up to the Ashes.

"My career hasn't always been on one even keel. I've always had to fight hard for my position, and that's the great strength of this wonderful side, the fact that everyone puts themselves in a position every day to be the best cricketer they can be."

It was a sentiment Lara shared. "Australia is all about the attitude. You've got to be mentally, physically, and tactically very strong to beat them. You've got to beat them by playing as aggressively as them. We had our chances in the opening match, but unfortunately, we folded. That was a bit unbelievable, nine for 29, we just weren't playing good thinking cricket."

Windies attack

Lara said his bowlers needed to turn in a better performance, and find the right lines and lengths. "Obviously conceding 279 and 309, we are short of where we want to be. But, the guys have had a long break, and they looked to be getting back into their groove." West Indies thus far was hamstrung in this effort because of the absence of Corey Collymore, who Lara considers his best bowler, to a thigh muscle injury.

News from the West Indies camp is Collymore bowled at 90 per cent exertion levels at practice, and a decision on his inclusion will be taken before the match. In other team news, Andrew Symonds is expected to play his first match of the DLF Cup.

The weather, however, holds everything hostage.

The teams (from): Australia: Mike Hussey (capt.), Simon Katich, Damien Martyn, Michael Clarke, Matthew Hayden, Brad Haddin (wk), Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Glenn McGrath, Dan Cullen, Stuart Clark, Brad Hogg.

West Indies: Brian Lara (capt.), Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Carlton Baugh (wk), Ian Bradhsaw, Fidel Edwards, Corey Collymore, Jerome Taylor, Dwayne Smith, Runako Morton.

Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pakistan) and Tony Hill (New Zealand). Third umpire: Mark Benson (England). Match referee: Chris Broad.

Hours of play (IST): 11 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., 3.15 p.m. till close.

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