From weather point of view India-Australia Test series went off well without any inclement weather, thanks to the Australian Cricket Board for planning a series without any trouble from weather.
But it is unfortunate to note that the triangular one day cricket series presently being held between India-Australia and Srilanka is marred by inclement weather.
The one off Twenty Twenty passed off peacefully at Melbourn, Australia thrashing India by nine wickets, dismissing India for a paltry 74 and chasing the target by loosing only one wicket.India’s younger crop of players who had just landed in Australia,without any match practice and not having acclimaticed to the conditions of Australia, did not take the loss seriously considering it as a nightmare.
When the triangular series featuring India, Australia and Srilanka had commenced in Brisbane, rain and the inclement weather played a spoil sport.The first match that was played between India and Australia was marred by rain, though India managed to score 194 in the reduced 45 overs, thanks to useful contributions of 39 from Guatam Gambhir, 29 from Rohit Sharma,37 from Dhoni and some contribution from Harbajan Singh.Brett Lee was the most successful bowler scalping 5 wickets including that of Sachin Tendulkar who got out by hit wicket for the first time in his cricket career for 10 runs.When rain intervened, by D/L method Australia had to score 192 in 42 overs.When Australia was chasing the Indian score and the target, it was reduced to 51 for 3 thanks to an inspiring spell from Ishant spell of just one over which fetched him the wicket of Hope who was out for 17 runs, while Sreesanth captured the wickets of Gilchrist and the prize wicket of Ponting for a duck.Then due to the intervention of the rain, the match was abandoned both teams sharing the points, each team getting two.
Again today the 5 th of February, 2008, When India took on Srilanka in the second match,India won the toss and elected to bat.Though there were intial hiccups, Gautam Gambhir managed to score a fine century (he scored 102) and Dhoni was 88 not out.However, the weather played a spoilsport and Sri Lanka could not play its innings and chase the Indian target of 268.In the result the match was abandoned awarding 2 points to each team.
It is unfortunate that the triangular series featuring the world No 1 and 2 teams and India,could not be so far played in its true spirit and the cricket fans world over have got disappointed.The Australian cricket board ought to have taken into account the inclement weather before choosing Brisbane as a venue for the matches.
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