Unseasonal showers played spoilsport as the opening cricket one-dayer between
India and Sri Lanka, the first international tie to be hosted by
the city in more than two years, was abandoned at the Eden Garden here
today.
The 86-thousand odd Kolkata crowd was seemingly set for some
thrilling cricket as the visitors got off to a roaring start after being put
in to bat before the weather gods literally poured cold water on such hopes.
Sri Lanka were 102 for three in 18.2 overs with veteran opener
Sanath Jayasuriya, probably on his last tour of India, going great guns
on 63 when the skies opened up.
The rains, that had lashed city last night, increased in intensity
with every passing minute and the ground soon resembled a pool fit for waterpolo.
The showers, which began at 4 pm, lasted for 45 minutes before relenting.
The super-sopper was immediately pressed into service and the mopping up operations
began.
But the intense efforts of the groundsmen came to a naught as the rains returned
soon, dashing all hopes of a restart.
The umpires declared the game abandoned at 8.30 pm.
The second tie of the four-match series is to be played at Rajkot
on Feb 11, a day before India's squad for the World Cup in the Caribbean
in March-April is to be selected.
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