Storm set to spoil dress rehearsal

SOUTHAMPTON: An unusually severe weather system is set to ruin the plans of both West Indies and New Zealand teams today’s final preliminary cricket match of the NatWest Series. With the Caribbean side’s seven-wicket triumph over England in a high-scoring duel on Tuesday at Lord’s assuring them of a date with the Black Caps in the final on Saturday, the scheduled encounter at the new Rose Bowl ground is being seen as the ideal opportunity to fine-tune preparations. Should the weather forecasters get it right however, there will be little chance of any play, as a depression packing fierce winds and torrential rain started sweeping across England late yesterday and was expected to linger over the southern part of the country for another 24 hours. The system is likely to dissipate by the weekend, although there is no guarantee that it will not also affect the final and force the match into the scheduled reserve day on Sunday.

In the event that there is enough available playing time to allow for a minimum of 20 overs-a-side, West Indies are unlikely to indulge in any more experimentation ahead of the  final. Riding another wave of optimism after successfully chasing a target of 286 two days earlier, they can ill afford to lose that momentum against a New Zealand team that remains unbeaten and has improved with every match played in the three-nation tournament. Yet there will be the temptation to give Darren Sammy his senior West Indies debut. The 20-year-old St Lucian — the first from his island to be selected in a senior regional squad —  is the only one among the 15-member party not to have featured in the competition. As much as he has retained his enthusiasm over the last two weeks, the all-rounder must be feeling frustrated at not having the opportunity to show his worth on the big stage, particularly as he is not part of the Test squad that will be seeking to surprise England in the four-match series, starting in two weeks’ time.

Wavering to sentiment could prove costly for Brian Lara’s squad however, for the confidence of some of the back-up bowlers would have been shaken by the thrashing they endured from England’s two Andrews —  Flintoff and Strauss —  and they would relish the chance of a decent spell against the same opponents they will be meeting in the final. West Indies’ two Dwaynes — Bravo and Smith —  who will be expected to deliver another 20 overs on Saturday, were plundered for a combined 151 runs two days ago. The assault on them would not have gone unnoticed by New Zealand’s regimental coach John Bracewell, nor captain Stephen Fleming, and keeping them deflated with similar all-out attacking tactics may well be part of the favourites’ battle plans. It would also be grossly unfair not to persist with Devon Smith as opening partner to Chris Gayle. Drafted in because of the apparent reluctance of Shivnarine Chanderpaul to do the job, he scored just ten at Lord’s, but deserves at least a decent chance to prove that he can adapt his technique to cope with the peculiar demands of the ODI game.

Stability in the batting line-up has remained elusive for West Indies, but after the excellent performance in their last match, it appears foolhardy to tinker with it yet again. New Zealand, who have now won 12 of their last 14 completed ODI’s, remain quietly assured that they are on track to lift the NatWest title as some consolation for being whitewashed 3-0 in the preceding Test series by England. Chris Cairns claimed three vital wickets in their comfortable victory over West Indies last Saturday in Cardiff, yet they could afford the luxury of effectively resting their key all-rounder the next day and chased 238 to inflict yet another defeat on the English in Bristol. If still bothered by what is reported to be a minor ankle ailment, Cairns may again be saved for the Lord’s showpiece, but that is unlikely to seriously disrupt the rhythm and balance of a side that has a level of hard-nosed experience and professionalism in the shorter version of the game that makes them very hard to beat. Yet, for all of the speculation, the weather could have the final say, leaving everyone to hope that it passes by in time to allow for the final to be played in the same glorious conditions enjoyed on Tuesday.

Teams:
WEST INDIES (probable): Brian Lara (captain), Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ricardo Powell, Dwayne Smith, Dwayne Bravo, Ridley Jacobs, Ian Bradshaw, Tino Best.
NEW ZEALAND (probable): Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Hamish Marshall, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Chris Harris, Jacob Oram, Gareth Hopkins, Daneil Vettori, James Franklin, Ian Butler. (CMC)