Wet outfield due to rain has delayed the start of the third day’s play in the fourth and final cricket test between India and the West Indies at Port of Spain on Saturday. For the second straight day rain hampered play at the Queen’s Park Oval, making it hard to get a result in the final game of the four-match Test series. Opener Kraigg Brathwaite (32*) and veteran batsman Marlon Samuels (4*) were at the crease when rain interrupted the match ahead of lunch.
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Having clinched the test series 2-0, India need to win this Test to retain their number one test ranking.
India’s cricket team head coach Anil Kumble left and West Indies’ coach Phil Simmons talk after touring the field of play at Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain Trinidad on Sunday. West Indies are 62/2 in the first innings.
The inability of the drainage system present at the venue has been called into serious question following the fracas with the groundsmen resorting to digging out the outfield to help evaporate the moisture but it was not enough as the match officials decided there was no possibility of a ball being bowled on the penultimate day of the match.
In a most dramatic way, Pakistan are inches away from being crowned as the World Number One Test Side for the first time in history.
Opener Leon Johnson (9) and Darren Bravo (10) were the two wickets to fall.
In 2009, the scheduled second Test of the series, also against England, lasted less than two overs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua due to a sandy outfield that made the free movement of fielders and especially the bowlers nearly impossible.
The facilities here have been questionable, since the ground staff didn’t cover anything but the square on day one, thus letting the bowlers’ run-ups be soaked.
There is no Super Sopper available either, with blow driers put in use to soak up the surface moisture. “Hopefully we can probably see some cricket the next two days if all goes well”. This boosted India’s ranking to the first and Pakistan were consequently posted on the 2nd spot.
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