India-Sri Lanka Test heads towards a watery grave

CHENNAI (India)—The first cricket Test between India and Sri Lanka was in danger of ending in a damp squib after heavy rains forced play to be abandoned for the second successive day here on Saturday.
Thunderstorms waterlogged the Chepauk ground and umpires Daryl Harper and Mark Benson called off play at 1300 hrs (0730 GMT) after inspecting the soggy outfield.
The first day’s play was also washed out and more rain was forecast for the next 24 hours. Cyclone Baaz, which was hovering in the Bay of Bengal, weakened into a depression late on Friday but brought rain through the night to drench this southern metropolis.
Bad weather has already deprived Chennai of its last three international matches. India’s one-day internationals against New Zealand in 2003 and South Africa a fortnight ago were abandoned without a ball being bowled.
The second Test against Australia in October last year was drawn after the final day’s play was washed out with India on the doorstep of victory. Local cricket officials, fearing another rain-affected match, have chosen to sell only daily tickets for the Sri Lanka Test. The three-Test series is Sri Lanka’s first on Indian soil in eight years.
Incessant rain and thundershowers wiped out the morning session of the second day’s play in the first cricket Test between India and Sri Lanka on Saturday. With the Chepauk outfield waterlogged and little chance of the sun breaking through to dry the ground, there was unlikely to be any play on the second day after the first day was washed out. Umpires Daryl Harper and Mark Benson may call off play during the scheduled lunch break at 11:30 am (0600 GMT) if the weather does not improve. Cyclone Baaz, which was hovering in the Bay of Bengal, weakened into a depression late on Friday but brought rain through the night to leave this southern metropolis drenched.
Bad weather has already deprived Chennai of its last three international matches. India’s one-day internationals against New Zealand in 2003 and South Africa last fortnight were abandoned without a ball being bowled.
The second Test against Australia in October last year was drawn after the final day’s play was washed out with India on the doorstep of victory.
Local cricket officials, fearing another rain-affected match, chose to sell only daily tickets for the Sri Lanka Test. The three-Test series is Sri Lanka’s first on Indian soil in eight years.—Agencies