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| April 9, 2006 | Sunday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 10, 1427 |
Rains threaten to ruin 5th one-dayer
GUWAHATI, April 8: Heavy showers are threatening to wash out Sunday's limited-overs international between India and England. After persistent rain for an entire week, the sun came out on Saturday afternoon to the delight of cricket fans, but the showers resumed just as the two teams landed in the city.
A water-logged ground welcomed the England team that came to the Nehru Stadium and left without any workout.
From the home team, spin bowler Harbhajan Singh was the only player to turn up at the ground.
The weather forecast for Sunday has dampened the organizers’ enthusiasm. The meteorological department had predicted partially clouded skies in the morning and a thunderstorm during the afternoon on Sunday.
“We had sunny weather until strong winds and thundershowers arrived six days ago,” said Sunil Barua, Guwahati's pitch curator.
India is seeking to experiment with some young players after taking a winning 4-0 lead in the seven-match series, but it might now have keep its plans on hold.
“I wasn't expecting showers when we landed here after a three-hour flight,” said Virender Sehwag, who will lead India in two matches as skipper Rahul Dravid has taken a five-day break after clinching the series.
“After reaching the hotel we realized it was no use going to the ground,” said opener Sehwag, who was hoping to strike form and post a big score that has eluded him during the current series.
“I have to perform whether I'm captaining the team or not, and striking form is just a matter of one innings,” he said.
“I’ve not been able to give my best, but I'm confident of doing so,” he said. ''If rain permits, I'd like to start with a good knock tomorrow.”
Sehwag said India might play some rookies with the aim of building the side for the future, but he still wanted to win the remaining games.
“We've won the series, but it doesn't mean we'll take the remaining three matches lightly,” Sehwag said.
“We're considering the series in two parts ... One that we've already won 4-0, and now begins the second part that too we want to win,” he said. “Every one-dayer has its own importance, no one wants to lose a game.”
England's captain, Andrew Flintoff, has said that his team would play for pride despite losing the series.
He said there was a lot to salvage from the remaining three games. India's successful chase in the fourth one-dayer on Thursday created a new world record of 15 consecutive victories when batting second.
The previous record of 14 was set by the West Indies during 1984-86.
“Setting this record’s a very good feeling, we now have the team that can chase any total,” Sehwag said. —AP
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