Thick and ominous greyish-black clouds are threatening to burst here and play spoilsport in the fifth of the seven-match one-day series between India and England Sunday.
India, having already clinched the series by winning the first four matches, would try to make a clean sweep if the game does take place at the Nehru Stadium here in Assam's main city of Guwahati. The two teams are arriving Saturday afternoon.
The outfield at the 21,000-capacity stadium is "not encouraging", although the pitch is well covered. Spells of heavy showers in the past six days do not augur well for the English team, which is hoping to salvage some pride by winning the remaining three games, including the one here.
"The pitch is not a problem and is still very good. If we have no further rains, then we expect to have a good match although the outfield as of now is slightly damp," curator Sunil Baruah said.
"The sun is peeping in and out today although there are heavy clouds. If it does not rain we would definitely have a match."
"The wicket is sporting and one can expect a score of around 250-plus if play does not get interrupted due to rains," Baruah said.
With India already having won the series and the rains beating down heavily, the enthusiasm among the locals here remains rather low.
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Cricket
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