CARDIFF, Aug 20: There will be no chance of rain stopping play when Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium hosts its first cricket match in October.

It may be pouring down in the rest of the Welsh capital but with the stadium’s retractable roof closed a series of matches between a British XI and a World XI should carry on regardless.

Even the bad light should not be a problem either because of floodlights.

England skipper Nasser Hussain is set to captain the British XI.

And the World Line-up expected to feature India paceman Javagal Srinath, Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, Pakistan duo Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar as well as former West Indies Courtney Walsh.

As well as the unusual venue, the players will be taking part in a new format of the game - ‘power cricket’.

This is a shorter form of the one-day game with innings lasting just 15 overs.

An artificial pitch will be specially installed at the Millennium Stadium under the supervision of former England spinner Derek Underwood.

Meanwhile Hussain, taking time out from the build-up to England’s third Test against India at Headingley on Thursday told the BBC: “I am looking forward to captaining the Brits against the rest of the world side.

“I believe international cricket at the Millennium Stadium will be a great success. I’m convinced this new form of the game will prove to be dynamic and will attract great interest and support throughout the country and beyond.”—AFP