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3.00 pm And now on comes the groundstaff, dragging big blue covers onto the field. Half an hour's play - after two hours of sitting and twiddling thumbs - and we're off for rain again.
Steve the Bajan: "My Dad, who was born and raised in St. Lucia, always said that St. Lucia is where rain was invented. A bit severe - but St. Lucia is certainly rainy from mid-June on."
Akhil: "Frustrating times for batting team not only interuptions they r losing valuable runs because of slow outfield. Huge Advantage to srilanka just within 20 balls they lost 4 runs( 3, 3 n 2 runs) "
Bijul Raveendra: "The pitch seems to be a good test match wicket. But the outfield is very slow. The ball is just dying as it nears the boundary ropes."
Kumara to Smith, no run, outside off and so he lets it go
Kumara to Smith, FOUR runs, just short of gully! Smith is prepared for a short ball, but this one seems to be cramping him for room, and also bouncing a little higher than he wants it. Does his best to chop down on top of it and only just survives
Kumara to Smith, no run, beats him with a fuller delivery at 143 kph. The width on the ball draws Smith into a shot. He see's a scoring opportunity but the movement off the pitch - which happens heinously late - foils his plans
Kumara to Smith, no run, back of a length and outside off, no shot
Kumara to Smith, no run, pulls the short ball to the left of midwicket. But Rajitha does well not to give away a single.
Kumara, like Lakmal, is coming around the wicket
END OF OVER:
32 | 6 Runs | WI: 88/1
- KOA Powell18 (13b)
- DS Smith37 (100b)
- RAS Lakmal10-4-15-0
- CBRLS Kumara7-1-28-0
Rakesh: "With Powell showing such good form and positive intention, we might just witness something classic, but only if the rain stays away and lets him have a clear run for 20 overs. This start - stop approach might just ruin his rhythm, flow & concentration. A good attacking positive batsman is what WI DESPERATELY need & powell might just be the answer"
Lakmal to Powell, no run, full on off stump, drills it to mid-off
PS - it's raining. The umpires keep the players expecting it to pass quickly. They've also got an eye on the ball, checking it for the second time in two overs.
Lakmal to Powell, 2 runs, spears it through the gap between point and gully. Excellent shot to a pretty rank half-volley.
Lakmal to Smith, 3 runs, smashes the short ball through point. The outfield though isn't quite the most considerate.
Lakmal to Smith, no run, pitches it up outside off, Smith lunges forward and across - covering his stumps - and then leaves
Lakmal to Smith, no run, sharp inward movement. Perhaps this's why Lakmal was bowling wide outside off..He wants Smith to leave on evidence of the initial line - as he does here - and then hope that the angle from around the wicket and the additional seam movement brings the stumps into play
Lakmal to Powell, 1 run, shortish on middle and leg, turns it around through midwicket
END OF OVER:
31 | 9 Runs | WI: 82/1
- DS Smith34 (97b)
- KOA Powell15 (10b)
- CBRLS Kumara7-1-28-0
- RAS Lakmal9-4-9-0
2.50 pm The groundstaff are milling around the covers again and yep... it's raining again. Oh, hello! About three seconds later, it's stopped. The players didn't even have the time to actually go off the field and now they all make their way to their spots. Gros Islet weather, make up your mind!
Kumara to Smith, 2 runs, full and on off stump, Smith drives through cover
Kumara to Powell, 1 run, another run-out chance! Phew! What is with Powell and quick singles today?! He thumps the ball to mid-off, looking nothing short of a boss. But then he decides he wants runs for a shot as good as that and sets off. Puts in a full-length dive to try and beat Chandimal's throw and lives to tell the tale only because it isn't a direct hit
Kumara to Powell, no run, flirts with this short delivery angling across him and almost nicks it through to the keeper
Kumara to Powell, no run, back of a length on middle, keeps it out
Kumara to Powell, SIX runs, lashes it over the boundary behind point! Sensational strike - even more so because at first it almost seemed like he was about to leave this rank short and wide delivery. Eventually he realises he has runs for the taking and upper cuts beautifully
Kumara to Powell, no run, defends a fullish delivery on middle and leg stump
END OF OVER:
30 | (maiden) | WI: 73/1
- DS Smith32 (96b)
- KOA Powell8 (5b)
- RAS Lakmal9-4-9-0
- CBRLS Kumara6-1-19-0
Lakmal to Smith, no run, nips in off the pitch, does this good length ball, and Smith leaves once again. Although this is a much tighter leave as the ball whooshes over off stump
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