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England and India frustrated as rain forces first ODI to be abandoned England and India frustrated as rain forces ODI to be abandoned
(about 2 hours later)
International cricket was supposed to return to Bristol after a four-year absence, during which time the ground has been transformed in appearance, with swish new flats at one end and a completely refurbished pavilion at the other. Sadly not a ball could be bowled, with the first match of England’s one-day series against India abandoned at 1.30pm. So the circus moves over the Bristol Channel hoping for better weather at Cardiff on Wednesday. International cricket was supposed to return to Bristol after a four-year absence, during which time the ground has been transformed in appearance, with swish new flats at one end and a refurbished pavilion at the other. Sadly not a ball could be bowled, with the first match of England’s one-day series against India abandoned at 1.30pm. So the circus moves over the Bristol Channel hoping for better weather at Cardiff on Wednesday.
The mechanical blotters were constantly driven up and down in an attempt to eliminate the puddles that kept appearing by the edge of the tarpaulins; soon only Andrew Flintoff could have walked on the outfield without getting his feet wet. The ground staff dutifully swept water hither and thither but their efforts were no more fruitful than those of Sisyphus. Unlike the mythological Greek king they did not deserve any punishment. The rain never relented. The mechanical blotters were constantly driven up and down in an attempt to eliminate the puddles that kept appearing by the edge of the tarpaulins; soon only Andrew Flintoff could have walked on the outfield without getting his feet wet. The ground staff swept water hither and thither but their efforts were no more fruitful than those of Sisyphus. Unlike the mythological Greek king they did not deserve any punishment. The rain never relented.
Will Brown, Gloucestershire’s chief executive, accepted the sympathies of all and kept smiling. All that effort in the preceding months and years, all those stewards and ground staff cheerfully getting soaked on the big day and in the end there was nothing to show for it. The match was, of course, insured but Gloucestershire would have expected significant income from catering on a sun-drenched day plus an enhanced reputation for being able to host big games. They hope for better weather in 2016 when Sri Lanka are due to play an ODI here. Will Brown, Gloucestershire’s chief executive, accepted the sympathies of all and kept smiling. All that effort in the preceding months and years, all those stewards and ground staff cheerfully getting soaked on the big day and in the end there was nothing to show for it. The match was, of course, insured but Gloucestershire would have expected significant income from catering on a sun-drenched day plus an enhanced reputation for being able to host big games. They will hope for better weather in 2016 when Sri Lanka are due to play an ODI here.
Brown was eager to promote his new venue. He would welcome fixtures when the Women’s World Cup takes place in this country in 2017, explaining that Gloucestershire have an unusually high percentage of female members. Moreover he is not alone in craving three or four matches during the men’s World Cup of 2019. Brown was eager to promote his new venue. He would welcome more games when the women’s World Cup takes place in the UK in 2017, explaining Gloucestershire have an unusually high percentage of female members. Moreover he is not alone in craving three or four matches during the men’s World Cup of 2019.
None of the players surfaced; it was even too wet for the statutory game of pre-match football. But there was a scorecard, which highlighted the dilemma faced by the England selectors whenever the rain goes away. That scorecard contained an XI that could not possibly take the field, since it would require Joe Root to bowl 10 overs with no other back-up bowlers in the side. None of the players surfaced; it was even too wet for the statutory game of pre-match football but there was a scorecard, which highlighted the dilemma faced by the England selectors when the rain goes away. That scorecard contained an XI who could not possibly take the field, since it would require Joe Root to bowl 10 overs with no other back-up bowlers in the side.
Since Alastair Cook has indicated that Ian Bell will bat at No3 that leaves a stark choice between Eoin Morgan and Gary Ballance. Morgan has been the one-day king for years – though his recent record is scanty; Ballance, with sound one-day credentials, has been brilliant against a red ball this summer. The scorecard does not help us but within 48 hours one of them, probably Ballance, is likely to experience that dreaded tap on the shoulder.Since Alastair Cook has indicated that Ian Bell will bat at No3 that leaves a stark choice between Eoin Morgan and Gary Ballance. Morgan has been the one-day king for years – though his recent record is scanty; Ballance, with sound one-day credentials, has been brilliant against a red ball this summer. The scorecard does not help us but within 48 hours one of them, probably Ballance, is likely to experience that dreaded tap on the shoulder.
The third women’s ODI between England and India at Lord’s was also abandoned without any play. England won the series 2-0.