October 02, 2007	Tuesday	Ramazan 19, 1428

KOCHI (India), Oct 1: Rain threatened a washout of the second One-day International here on Tuesday between India and Australia after the opening game met a similar fate last week.

A heavy shower on Monday morning ruined the training plans of the teams at the Kerala Cricket Association ground, which has been rendered soggy after days of monsoon rains.

With the weathermen forecasting rain on Tuesday as well, chances of any play look bleak.

The opening one-dayer at Bangalore on Saturday had to be abandoned after India had batted just 2.4 overs while chasing Australia’s 307 for seven.

The worries about the weather apart, the teams are also grappling with injuries ahead of the tie.

While questions remain over the fitness of Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, who missed out on the opener due to a hamstring strain, the home side will be without former captain Saurav Ganguly.

Ganguly, 35, limped off the ground while fielding during Saturday’s first match in Bangalore.

Scans revealed no serious injury and Ganguly is expected to take the field in the third game in Hyderabad on Friday, Indian cricket board secretary Niranjan Shah said.

“An MRI scan was performed on Saurav’s right hamstring and it has determined no injury to the region,” Shah said. “Based on the findings, vigorous rehab approach will be commencing immediately. The team management feels that Saurav will progress quickly and hence it was decided to give him a one game rest.”

Indian batsman Robin Uthappa is also recovering from a hamstring problem, while off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is expected to be available for Tuesday’s match after missing the first game with a neck sprain.

India, the newly crowned Twenty20 world champions, and one-day kings Australia are playing a seven-match one-day series that ends on Oct 17.—AFP