Hailstorm threatens India-England ODI in Guwahati

30 November -0001

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India's stand-in captain Virender Sehwag Saturday said his team is taking the remaining three matches in the seven-match one-day international series against England as a fresh tournament even as hailstorm Saturday threatened the fifth ODI to be played here Sunday.

"We are taking the remaining three matches as a new series and our goal is to win at least two matches. This is to keep the motivation level of the players up after having already won the series," Sehwag told a press conference here.

India have already clinched the series, winning the first four matches and the fifth match at the Nehru Stadium here has been threatened by heavy rains as two spells of hailstorm lashed the city Saturday afternoon forcing the two teams to abandon the customary pre-match nets.

"If there is a match tomorrow, rains permitting, we are going to rest some of the regulars and give a chance to the youngsters who are sitting in the benches," Sehwag said.

The team meeting takes place Saturday night. "Players like Venu Gopal Rao and Robin Uthappa will definitely get a chance. In the next three matches we shall give chance to all the players."

Asked if he was worried about his poor form, Sehwag said he was looking for "one big innings" to make the comeback.

"I need to stay in the wicket for an hour and I am confident I shall be able to give my best in the next match. Everybody is expecting a big innings from me," he said.

Defending Mohammed Kaif's inclusion in the team despite his poor run in the series, Sehwag said everybody passes through a lean patch.

"Kaif is a great player and a great fielder and he had won us several matches. He is working hard on his batting," he said.

"Even a great player like Sachin Tendulkar cannot perform in all the matches."

Sehwag said the Indian team was now focusing on the 2007 World Cup.

"Our eyes are set on the World Cup and we are preparing for the same. By the end of this year we should be ready for the big event," he said.

The England team did not attend the pre-match press conference.

Meanwhile, the mood among the people is one of utter gloom as the heavy showers created puddles in the outfield, although the pitch and the 30-yard circle are well covered.

"If there are further overnight rains then the chances of play look bleak," an Assam Cricket Association official said.

"Let us pray and keep our fingers crossed at the moment."

The outfield at the 21,000-capacity stadium is "not encouraging".

"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 wicket is sporting and one can expect a score of around 250-plus if play does not get interrupted due to rains," Baruah said.

England captain Andrew Flintoff and half of his teammates inspected the ground and had some fun later afternoon spraying water at each other. Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh was the lone player from the home team to have spent some time in the slushy outfield.

"We were tired after a long three hour flight and so did not come to the ground. The weather was also not good," Sehwag said.

"I am surprised to find rains in Guwahati at this time of the year. Let us hope for the best."

Asked to comment on some English players blaming the hot and humid Indian weather conditions for their poor performance in the series, Sehwag said the Indian team was playing good cricket.

"We have won the Natwest Series in England where the conditions was extremely cold. I think we are playing very good cricket now," he said.

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