Repeated showers threatened to wash out the third limited-overs cricket international between India and South Africa in Madras, but officials and the two team captains said they hoped play would resume if the rain stopped by the end of Monday.
The five-game series is level after South Africa won the opener in Hyderabad and India took the weekend match in Bangalore.
The weather office warned of heavy rains and winds exceeding 55kph in the region for the next two days, caused by a depression in the Bay of Bengal that is expected to move closer to the coast.
”If it does not rain any more, there will be a match tomorrow,” Arani Jayaprakash, one of the umpires set to officiate, said after inspecting the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday.
The field lay under covers as the ground staff worked furiously to get it match-fit again. But they faced dark, low-hanging clouds.
”Maybe it will be touch and go in terms of overs,” Jayaprakash said.
Indian captain Rahul Dravid said the wicket is firm and could offer a keen contest if weather permits play.
”We are still hoping it [will] be a 50-overs game and that the sun comes out,” he said.
Graeme Smith, his South African counterpart, also inspected the pitch when the rain stopped for a few hours in the afternoon.
”The pitch looks good. We should have a good match tomorrow,” he said.
Smith said paceman Charl Langeveldt, who missed the Bangalore match due to a back injury, has recovered.
”He will undergo a fitness test tomorrow and, in all probability, he should be fit,” he added.
Both captains declined to indicate the composition of their teams, saying they will decide on Tuesday, depending on the weather and the length of play possible.
Officials at the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, the game’s host, were a worried lot.
”We are well equipped to handle the situation and we are trying our best. But just when we are setting things right, it rains again persistently,” said CR Vijayaraghavan, the association’s secretary.
The teams were holed up in their dressing rooms, as the wet underfoot conditions ruled out any practice.
South Africa would be looking to resume their undefeated run that was broken by India, who won by six wickets in Bangalore. South Africa had gone into that match with 17 wins, one tie and two no-result games. — Sapa-AP