08 November,2009 07:59 AM IST | | Ashwin Ferro
Assam Cricket Association curator Sunil Baruah is hoping for a keen contest in today's sixth India-Australia ODI after having prepared a batting-friendly strip. However, he's hopeful the weather does not change drastically overnight like it did on the day of the India vs England match in 2006.
Clear skies gave way to clouds and an initial burst of rain in the morning ruined all hopes of play. The match was cancelled after a lot of drama. A helicopter was hired from a nearby army base in a bid to dry the soaked surface and police fired tear gas shells to disperse a frustrated and rioting crowd. A teary-eyed Baruah was then seen sitting on the pitch, his face buried in his hands helplessly resigning to the forces of nature.
Make it 40-40
Given that the sun rises rather early in this part of the world and sets even earlier, the Assam Cricket Association will be better off if they declare today's sixth ODI a 40-overs-a-side affair.
The match has already been rescheduled by half an hour (9am to 8:30) in keeping with the 4:37 pm sunset.
However, instead of starting early and then having to reduce the overs in the second innings and applying the Duckworth Lewis system, the organisers could be well advised to take an early 40-overs-per-side call.
No mikes
The India captain not being heard? Yes, that was the case yesterday because the Guwahati organisers forgot to installu00a0 a microphone for Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the pre-match press briefing.
