The Hindu : Sport : Rain reduces match to 22 overs a side

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Sunday, Apr 01, 2007
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Rain reduces match to 22 overs a side

S. Ram Mahesh

Australia wins toss, puts Bangladesh in; Indian fans have a ball

St. Peter's: Australia elected to bowl in its Super Eight match against Bangladesh here at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground after wet conditions delayed the start and reduced it to 22-overs-a-side.

The decision to start was made after the umpires conducted a final inspection at 1.20 p.m. (local time). Five hours of play were lost.

Early on Saturday, there were signs of what might have been.

The tournament brochure had it as Match 46 of the World Cup, Australia versus Bangladesh. But, Indian cricket fans were streaming into the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground as the sun began dispelling the gloom that had gathered on Friday.

India had been scheduled to play Australia in a Super Eight match here on Saturday. The schedule was put up long before the World Cup started so fans could buy match tickets, book cruise ships or flight tickets, and reserve rooms.

It wasn't a case — as has been suggested — of the ICC pre-determining the tournament. With travel across islands — and nations — involved, there had to be a measure of certainty. One can't hinge travel plans on the outcome of a final group game. The ICC decided the lesser discomfort to the fan lay in cancelling than in rescheduling.

This set of Indian fans decided to succumb to the blandishments of the local tourism authority and enjoy the experience. Seeing that the puddles in the outfield weren't being attended to and that the match wouldn't start on time, they decided music was in order.

Home-made drums and trumpets were brought out, as were maharajah turbans complete with plumes. The slow handclap, the global sign to get a move on, started. Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden, walking gingerly around the boundary, waved. The din grew louder.

The umpires meanwhile undertook inspections at 9.30 a.m.,10.15 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, and 12.45 p.m.(local time). Each time, Billy Bowden and Aleem Dar would walk up to the large stretch that resembled a peat bog near the North Stand, and shake their heads.

PHOTO: AP

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE: Reserve umpire Asad Rauf (left) of Pakistan throws water he scooped up from the outfield as match umpire Aleem Dar looks around.

One time Asad Rauf, the fourth umpire, squatted and scooped water out of the puddle.

It was hard to see what they were inspecting. Barring a cursory pass of the manual sopper, the puddles were left to the care of the sun and the drainage system.

News filtered through that the super sopper had broken down. What that admirable device could do to so formidable a mix of sand and water, one couldn't divine.

Bowden and Dar conferred briefly with coaches John Buchanan (Australia) and Dav Whatmore (Bangladesh). Measuring tapes were brought out. Shortening of the boundaries was contemplated. A couple of the bowlers cased out their run-ups.

Elsewhere on the ground, the Australians got a game of rugby going.

Mark Nicholas, who some believe will take over from Richie Benaud, did a vigorous piece to camera, covering all areas of concern, tousling his hair as he strived to convey the atmosphere to millions watching world-wide.

By now, volunteers and groundstaff had brought giant sponges to the middle. They laid it on the ground and stamped on it in the manner of those crushing grapes underfoot in the valleys of southern France.

Others drove pitch-forks through the ground to aid percolation.

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