The rain delay finally comes to an end, and the play resumes. The anticipation of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Virender-Sehwag-c95429 versus Dale Steyn is there to unleash at last. The spectators following the build up of the contest had to wait for four-and-a-half hours because of the weather
delay. The rain poured down on the Centurion track from 10:30am to 3:00pm, when Graeme Smith asked India to bat under damp conditions. The spectators cheered the decision at the Super Sport Park.
Smith was of the view that the ground conditions confused him initially. But the dampness in the surface forced him to opt for the bowling first option. And that he wanted to give his bowlers a chance upfront, so that a chance of denting India is there.
Dhoni also realized that the pitch looked alright, but the dampness underneath the surface is considerable.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750’s
frontline fast bowler, Zaheer Khan, has also missed a place in the final XI for his team. The hamstring injury came down as defining to rule him out of the first game, allowing the young http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Jaidev-Unadkat-c1626 to make his debut.
The aim of the management is to have at least 48-over play today. But this will be an incredible task to perform, considering the downpour this morning. The drainage system is one of the best in the world. Hence the expectations might be a possibility. The
ground was covered with tents this morning; heaters and fans were installed to keep the pitch dry.
The efficiencies of the ground staff came into play once the rain stopped. Following inspection of the track by the umpires, a green signal was given to the players that the play will soon be started. This meant that Sehwag vs. Steyn will not have to wait
till day 2 of the test. Conditions are expected to test the visitors, who possess a rampant batting line up. The South African skipper wants his frontline pacers to dominate early, so that the Indians are forced under pressure before day 2 of the match.
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