It will 'rain' runs at last

Chennai, Jan 26 (UNI) With not a match being completed in the last five years, Weather God has not been very kind to the cricket-crazy fans of this metropolis but as the Men in Blue cross swords with the men from Caribbeans tomorrow, a sunny day with no rain forecasts awaits all in the third ODI at the M A Chidambaram Stadium here.

Whether it was tests or ODIs, rain proved to be a dampener whenever a match was held here over the last five years, robbing the fans of full action everytime.

The last time a full ODI and Test was held was wayback in 2002 when India defeated England in the third ODI in January and later won the second test against West Indies in October the same year.

Since then the next four matches--two tests and two ODIs--were badly affected by rain.

Howevr, with the monsoon period over, it adds that extra bit of excitement for the spectators, who were yearning for a full match in the backdrop of spate of rain-hit matches.

MET office sources told UNI that in the next 24 hours, the minimum temperature would be around 21 degrees Celsius and there is 'no threat of rain'.

This news will also be music to the ears of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) officials, who were criticised for scheduling the matches during the monsoon. The TNCA was also dragged to the court on payment of re-fund, especially after the India-South Africa third ODI was abandoned without a ball being bowled on November 22, 2005.

The first ODI of the TVS Cup series between India and New Zealand on October 23, 2003 was washed out after India reached 141 for three in 26.5 overs.

In October 2004, the second test between India and Australia also met with the same fate when rain playing spoilsport in final day's action with India requiring 229 to win.

The weathergods, was merciless when heavy rain ruined the first three days play of the drawn first Test between India and Sri Lanka in December 2005, barely one month after the washout of the India-South Africa encounter.

And with the curator predicting a tall-scoring affair, a mouth-watering encounter is on the cards tomorrow as India start on the front foot.

UNI