History has it that whenever an important cricket tournament is being held rain is known for playing spoilsport. A picture of this bitter truth was noticed at the crucial semi final between New Zealand and South Africa played on Tuesday!
The bad news is that it seems rain will continue to play spoilsport between the ‘All Important’ semi final between India and Australia because according to weather reports rain will pose a major threat during the India vs Australia World Cup semi-final tie to be played at Sydney on Thursday
Cricket fans may agree that rain proved fatal for the South Africans in the Tuesday’s semi-final because prior to rain South African team was going great guns when they were halted by rain. According to cricket experts had the rain not intervened the South African could have amassed a mammoth total crossing over 350 plus. Also due to rain the pitch became wet and South African bowlers had hard time bowling.
When they play resumed South African total was rounded to Duckworth-Lewis target of 298. Grant Elliott scored a match-winning 84 off 73 to power New Zealand (299/6) to their first ever World Cup final, beating South Africa (281/5) by 4 wickets (D/L) in a cliffhanger heavily affected by rain.
Coming to the critical semi final between India and Australia weather reports reported that it has been raining in Sydney since Tuesday morning and the fear of rain looms large over the important semi –final on Thursday!!
According to the Weather Department rain is predicted to hit on Tuesday as well as on Wednesday. The only relief for India is that Weather Department has forecasted a clear weather for Thursday, when the two teams meet to battle out the crucial final. However the good news ends here because even if it remains clear on Thursday the ground conditions and the pitch are likely to be badly affected.
Meanwhile team India was seen utilizing innovative tricks to counter the fast pace attack of the Kangaroos. Just as Dhooni countered the lethal attack of Pakistani tall pacer Mohammad Irfan by employing support staff standing on stools to give the batsmen throw downs likewise Dhooni this time adopted a unique tennis racquet training method. To prepare his batsmen to handle bouncers, Dhoni served Suresh Rana, known for his weakness to handle short ball, with the tennis ball and later he too practiced in the same fashion.
Hope the rain does not play spoilsport.
Comments
Post a Comment