Transcript of the Commentary - South African Innings

Prem: OKAY, GUYS, BACK WITH THE LANKAN INNINGS IN 10 MINUTES.

Prem: short run up this time, vaas, yorker on leg, benkenstein swings it round, misses, leg bye, and that is the end of the innings. only 10 minute sbetween innings, so running off for a break here, be right back with the lankan chase.

Prem: last ball of the protean innings, here, vaas to bowl to benkenstein and what's the odds we get another yorker?

Prem: 4 balls, four yorkers. terrific stuff, ball five again an inswinging full toss, on middle, hit to long off, two for it.

Prem: vaas, a brilliant yorker this time to kallis and all he can get is one to the checked push.

NITIN (nkulkarn@gssec.bt.co.uk) I think we will get a smashing start from lankans Kalu in an unorthodox way and Jaya in a more stylish way Prem: great bowling here from vaas, very full line and length on leg, not letting the batsmen get under the ball and lift over the field.

Prem: vaas again, to benkenstein, another inswinging yorker, hit on the full to long on, one more.

Prem: ball two, vaas to kallis, over the wicket, full toss on leg, swung to midwicket, one more.

Prem: last over of the innings coming up. stand by for fireworks, chaminda vaas, and benkenstein swings it round, one to midwicket

Prem: Vels:: oh well. :-)

Tushar (TUSHAR_ASHAR@HOTMAIL.COM) wHY jAYA ?. i think Kali picks spinner well Prem: last ball of the over, and benkenstein goes across to try and paddle, that was wide of leg,m called, so an extra here. one more ball, benkenstein off drives, gets one to end the penultimate over.

Prem: klal;lis steps to leg, hits through off, but finds long off, just one.

Prem: benkenstein on strike, goes to leg, jaya follows him, the batsman plays to long on but chandana very fast off the line, just the single.

Prem: jayasuriya now coming under pressure, six off the first two balls, ball three, kallis steps to leg, smashes through midwicket, one more.

Prem: first ball, and kallis drives, gets two. ball two, this time, it is kallis who reverse sweeps, again, not hitting at it, guiding it perfectly, four more.

Prem: kallis the man on strike now, but much discussion in the lankan camp before giving jaya the ball for the penultimate over.

Prem: two more overs to go and sa need at least 28 odd runs here. now the run rate 6 an over.

Prem: benkenstein again, out to long on, gets two more, jatyasyuriya fumbles this time. dharma, and benkenstein reverse sweeps, hits it perfectly off the middle, four for it.

Harry () I agree with you prem it's high time now -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ken () Why doesn't SA hit out??? This is supposed to be the slog over!!! Prem: benkenstein down the track, swings it round, two more to long on.

Prem: ball two, dharma, kallis this time steps to leg, hits over cover, one more.

Prem: it's been a wonderful innings, this, from kallis, kept coming up with the big hits -- 5 6s, in fact -- and keeping the strike rate up and here goes another one, huge swing at dharma's first ball, chandana running around, just saves the six, gets one hand to it on a dead flat run, great try, two more.

Prem: three overs left so it should be all slam bang stuff from here on.

Prem: last ball of the over, chandana, down the leg, kallis plays to square leg, single, and a superlative century to the right hander.

Prem: benkenstein down the trackc, drives, one to cover. two balls left in the 36th, kallis on strike, chandana on off, the fleunt drive gets him too more, benkenstein running very well to beat the throw.

Prem: slow ball this time on middle, kallis stays back and late cuts, one more.

Prem: 4 overs left in the innings, and kallis gets one more with the on drive, chandana the b owler. nbext ball, benkenstein goes a long way to leg, cramped but gets one more to midwicket.

Prem: single this time to kallis, playing to midwicket, benkenstein on strike but unable to get the last ball of the over away, finds midwicket.

venkat (ramanalv@hotmail.com) Kallis is the Man of the match. 100 runs + 5 wickets. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- zia () you need some change to liven things up, once in a while. If there's no rest day between matches, I think its better than the toss Prem: dharma, kallis reverse sweeps,m mahamana throws in, hits the stumps at the non striker's end, the richochet gets kallis one more.

Prem: ball three, the off drive, not well tiemd but gets one and gets kallis back on strike.

Prem: ball two, benkenstein flicks off the pads, but finds midwicket, no run.

Prem: 5.85 the run rate now, kallis on strike, 91/84 thus far, and dharma brought back. the sweep, first up, gets him one more. that is sa's 200.

Prem: chandana fires one in fast, kallis cuts, doesnt get hold of it properly, no run.

Prem: chandana now to benkenstein who goes back, turns it off the hips, finds short fine, but one anyway.

Prem: kallis now with the off drive, off the back foot, one more.

Prem: chandana, full toss on leg stump, on driven by benkenstein, one to long on.

Prem: dale benkenstein the new man in but it is kallis on strike. chandana the bowler, flicked off the pads to midwicket, single.

Prem: zia:: forecast is for things to stay clear for the rest of the day, thank heavens. aint quite waiting to see them reduce cricket to a lottery, mysefl.

Prem: first ball of the 34th, symcox sets himself on his hind legs, has a huge swing but manages only to swat the ball straight to atapattu at deep long on, sa losing wicket number seven here.

Daya (daya@sca.com) Runrate of more than 6 will change the game completely. Below that SL can play their usual game, may be sligtly speeded up. Above that they have to open the throttle to a dangerous level, and if Jaya or Aravinda does not deliver they will be in trouble. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- zia () prem, any chance for rains? I am looking forward to a bowl out? What does the forecast say? Prem: srini:: would all depend on how the inexperienced quicks bowl to jayasuriya at the top of the order. I would think SA needs 260+ to be absolutely safe. HARRY:: symcox can blast a few, in fact, pretty much all of them barring number 11 can do that, so they have atting to go still.

Prem: symcox now, off the back foot trying to square drive, inside edge and goes past the keeper on the leg side, for four to a very fine fine leg position. fortuitous, bhut at this point, he wouldnt worry. a gentle push gets one more off the last ball.

Harry () Prem: How much do you think SA tail enders can score as I'm not aware of there batting capabilities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- srini (dharmaji@mindspring.com) Prem:Is 240 a good score to defend? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vels (svelmurugan@dns.ufsia.ac.be) Prem...? I suppose, it would be RECORD of SORTS if KALLIS can GET to HIS WELL DESERVED CENTURY in TRUNCATED MATCH LIKE this? I reckon nobody might have scored in a TRCUNCATED MATCH. BTW, I feel Jaya might not be GREAT threat like De Silva Prem: three balls left in the over, zoysa to kallis, on middle and flicked around, good stop at short fine by atapattu, single.

Prem: ball three, played off the hips, single to short fine.

Prem: zoysa to symcox,who is down the track, gets superbly to the pitch, lifts over midicket, no fielder there as the shot is played wide of the sweeper, four more.

venkat (ramanalv@hotmail.com) SA will win this semi-final handsdown. And will lose in the final the same manner. Prem: zoysa now being brought back. 7 overs left in the innings. zoysa has 5-0-22-2 thus far, be interesting to see how he bowls here. kallis meanwhile looking for what will be a brilliant 100, if he gets there. turns the first ball off his hips, soingle.

Prem: chandana to symcox, last ball of the over, yorker length and dug out, no run,

Prem: kallis on strike to chandana, rocks back, drives off the back foot, single to deep cover. chandana with his top spinners doing well here. symcox on strike, ball five, played back to the bowler.

Prem: zia:: somehow, dont think the qualification rules will allow it, though. :-) symcox clubs out on the off side, but jsut the one for a lot of effort on that hit. into the 32nd over here.

zia () hi maaan! I am back. I can see the smile disappearing from your face :-) Hey, what do you think about Ranatunga? How about a flexible wrist like him at #3 for India :-)) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Harry () SA not really able to get away with SL bowling. I was really impressed with the way yesterday wallace batted he made runs come so easy. Prem: chandana now to kallis, the on drive fetches one more. brings symcox on strike.

Prem: Ken:: That I think would depend on whether the sa bowlers can contain jayasuriya at the top -- a very inexperienced bowling lineup here, especially in the pace department, which could be the biggest problem for sa.

Prem: ken () Prem, I think that anything beyond 240 on this wicket is tough even for SL. But SA has to do a lot to reach there. What do you think??

Prem: this is turning into a great knock from kallis, really holding the innings together but for now, rhodes on strike, and sweeping, top edge as he overhits, playing too soon, and caught at short fine leg.

Prem: kallis on strike, full toss, no ball called, so one extra to the total, into the 31st over here. the reverse sweep fetcehs kallis one more.

Prem: aman:: will do att the end of today's match report

Prem: Murali being brougth back into the attack, rhodes on strike as the batsmen had crossed over that time gets the single, and second ball, down he goes, kallis, on his knee, the huge swing of the bat hitting against the turn, six over midwicket, done that regularly in this innings. ball three, the coer drive, two moe.

Prem: Rhodes the new man, but with the fall of that wicket, it is drinks, so taking a breather here.

Prem: alps:: no, tghis is the first innings. Vels:: Yeah, around 255, 260 could have sri lanka feeling a lot of pressure.

Vels (svelmurugan@dns.ufsia.ac.be) Prem... IS IT going 39 over match or 40 - over one? What could be the REALISTIC TARGET for SL to Chase? I say beyond 260 it woould be tough? What do you feel?? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alps () Hi prem! Have SLbatted and if so what did they get??? Prem: chandana, this time cronje tries to step back to leg, chandana follows him, cronje goes through with the hit, ends up spooning it high, to long on, atapauttu running in and taking a very good catch, well judged.

Prem: chandana to cronje, who steps back, makes lots of room and smashes through extra cover, hitting over the infield, the inside out hit, easing it over the field for four, good shot.

Prem: kallis on drives, playing it late and timing it well, gets two to the fielder deep on the line. ball three, flighted on leg, flicked through to long on again, single.

Prem: Harry () Cronje not in his touch, wasting too many bowls that could cost him the match.

Prem: given the situation now, SA will need to look at a minimum of 80 runs in the next 10 -- with six in hand, they have the batting to get there. 73 off 76 this partnership, a very good one thus far. chandana continues, cronje works him nicely off the pad to sweeper midwicket, single.

Prem: vaas, last ball of the over, fuller length and one more. end of 29 with lanka 160/4.

Prem: aman:: that wasnt a full answer, but all i have time for just now. vaas outside off, cronje running it down to third man, single.

Prem: vaas bowling within himself here, and both batsmen working him for singles off thier pads to start the over off, this is the 29th so 10 more after this. cronje drives, one more.

Prem: aman:: ganguly early on, before the ball softens. to guys like arthurton, robin singh with his straight hitting. jadeja. dravid but slowly. not azhar, not really.

aman (aman@xtra.co.nz) prem - sorry, this isn't the right game, but your opinion, apart from tendulkar, which indian batsmen best suited for this pitch? it seems that your best chances for getting a lot of runs here are either opening and facing the new bowlers or being an extremely talented mid-order..big scores but runs haven't been scored by just about anyone... Prem: 5.53 per over the rate and vaas being brought back, as the spinners are now being hit around by these two batsmen, kallis in particular.

Prem: harry:: cant, pal, have too many things to do with your comments, mine, scoreboard, updating at the end of the over here.

Harry () Prem could please write score in your commentary as its not being updated regularily Prem: chandana, last ball of the over and that is a brilliant bit of work, comes down the track, gets undr the ball, converts it into a full toss and swings him over square leg, against the tunr, six more.

Prem: kallis on strike, batting 60 off 62, chandana on leg and middle, kallis again not finding room for his shot, plays it back down the track. ball three, fuller length, kallis drives, doesnt get hold of it, no run. ball four, outside off, the cut, the turn means he gets the thick top edge of the horizontal bat, runs down to third man, long chase and two more.

Prem: cronje on strike to chandana, on leg stump and gently pushed to midwicket, one more.

Shalini () SA must target nine runs an over from now on to make some match of it Prem: jaya 9 runs in this over, two to go, follows cronje as he looks to step to leg and hit over extra cover, cramps the batsman. next ball, cronje steps to off, single through midwicket to end the over.

Prem: cronje gives himself room here, cuts through point, has the sweeper running around, two for it.

Prem: jaya continues and kallis seems to have worked him out now -- steps back, lets it come on and a superb cover drive, splits the field, four. next ball, again waits for the ball outside off and plays it to third man, two. ball three, guided to mid on, this time off the front foot, single.

Prem: aman:: wow, what a portmanteau! All games played on fresh pitches, the genuine spinenrs hjave all got turn thus far and will, i would think continue to get it.

aman (aman@xtra.co.nz) prem - how much turn does this pitch have? how does it compare with others in terms of turn? which bowlers have got the most turn out in the last one week? and are the semi-final and final being played on fresh pitches? Prem: chandana, last ball of the over, on middle and one to point off the push, just one in that over is very good work at this stage.

Prem: chandana to kallis, flighed on off and middle, cronje backing up a long way, had to rush back in a hurry as kalu ran round and threw to the bowler's end. kallis unable to get away in this over, mainly because chandana is firing in top spiners on a full length on off and middle line.

Prem: every now and again, kallis launches himself, pushing the scoring rate back up, now it is 5.4 per over and kallis again on strike, to chandana, plays to midwiccet first ball, no run. ball two, on leg stump, played against the turn and agian, finds midwicket.

Potdar (vdpotdar@indosat.net.id) Prem, SA needs to jack up their scoring rate. Batting second, 250 in 40 overs is also achievable for Lankans. Prem: Now that was a beauty -- Kallis, before the bowler could deliver, stepping right back, waiting for it, and using the power of his big frame to smash this one from outside off, over mid on, for another six, his 3rd. jaya, and kallis drives, finds long off, one more.

Prem: vels:: ummmm... got enoug to do worrying about my commentary, pal. Jaya continues, bowling very well here today, making up for Murali's prodigvality. ball two, kallis lays back, tkes full toll of one fractionally outsdie off, square drives, thhrough point for four. ball three, anggled into his pads, no room for strokeplay on that one.

Prem: cronje down the trrack but gets the leading edge to the leg break, finds short midwicket, no run. last ball, the armer, on middle stump played to cover, no run, end of a good over.

Prem: kallis now cutting, but cramped a bit on that shot, ball closer to the stumps, finds backward point, no run. chandana, draws kallis into the drive with a flighted ball on off, gets the one to sweeper cover.

Prem: chandana continues, on leg stump first up and kallis, who has been sweeping very well today, gets one more in the middle but just the one to backward square. next ball, on off, cronje plays it with the turn to cover, one more.

Prem: jaya to kallis, outside off, onto the back foot and square driving, in the air but through the gap past cover, gets one to the sweeper to end the over.

Prem: jaya in the middle of an intelligent spell of bowlig here, that one is held back, on off, going through straight but again, a bit of a misfield this time by atapattu at point, gives away the extra run, kallis getting two.

Prem: Jayasuriya continues, kallis on drives, one more, into the 23rd over here. ball two, cronje trying to play him inside out over cover, the turn take shte edge, goes to backward point, no run. ball three, off th back foot, guided past cover, one more.

Abhishek (gptabhi@hotmail.com) South Africa is playing very sensibly -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- aman (aman@xtra.co.nz) dhirendra - you patriotic old crustacean you :-) Prem: cut and miss, again, from kallis, that was the flipper from chandana, close to off stump. last ball, on middle and leg, kallis sweeps, gets one more.

Prem: 22nd over in progress. on off turning away, kallis cuts and finds short cover, no run.

Prem: cronje now on the back foot, guiding it to the left of cover, one more.

Prem: chandana, right arm leg spin, kallis onto the back foot, cuts, finds one to the sweeper.

Prem: 5.33 run rate and upul chandana takes over from murali who has been expensive in this innings. good ball first up, on off, played to point and a single to cronje

Prem: good over thus far, just the one in it which is very good at this point, and jaya bowls an excellent last ball to kallis, keeping him quiet on off and middle to end the over.

Prem: ball five, jayasuriya on leg, played to mid on, single.

Prem: 5.55 the run rate now, jaya to cronje, good ball, bowling it from wide of the crease, round the wicket, angling it into the right hander's pads. ball two, again the same line, cronje can only push forward, yorker length as well making things hard for strokeplay. ball three, cronje tries to move to leg and drive on the off, but again, the angle and length cramps cronje, finds cover, no run. ball four, straighter one this time, on off,c ronje drives, finds cover.

Prem: murali to kallis, who straight drives, finds the bowler on the follow through. last ball of the over, gentle nudge, looking to run it down to fine leg, but bat onto pad and ball going down the track, murali fields on the follow through, norun.

Dhirendra (dhirendra@hotmail.com) Both SA and Lankan team are good. But one will be knocked-out today. Personnaly I want Lankan team to be in the finals and if ( a big if) they do not play with India in the final, I want them to will the trophy. Here, being an Indian, I am little shellfish. Dhirendra - USA Prem: 20th over in progress, 19 more after this one, cronje now turning through midwicket, finding the sweeper, one more.

Prem: murali now under pressure, pushes this one through flat and fast, kallis plays to square leg, single.

Prem: Murali now goes round the wicket, to Kallis, and again,the batsman down on his knee waiting for it, swings it with the turn, through the gap between midwickeet and mid on, four more, great shot that. and nbext ball, again, this one hit even better, getting under it and lifting it over midwicket, six. 10 off the first two balls here.

Prem: cronje on strike, last ball of the over, jayasuriya, on leg and cronje finds midwicket with the push, no run.

Prem: jaya to kallis, outside off, cut away off the back foot, finds th sweeper, one more.

Prem: jaya now to kallis, who cuts, playing with the turn from off stump,m finds short backward point, no run. ball four, faster one on off, played through point, great running again gets two to the sweeper.

Prem: jayasuriya, to cronje, who steps back and tries a back foot off drive, plays too early, ball in the air but just short of the bowler. next ball, played to point, guiding it with the open bat face, single to some very good callling and running.

Prem: 5.27 the sa run rate at this point, slipping a bit here from the 5.5 they were during the first ten, and jayasuriya now replaces dharmasena. ranatunga rotating his slower bowlers around very nicely here, not letting the batsmen settle against any one of them.

Dhirendra (dhirendra@hotmail.com) Considering that 4 SAfrican wickets are gone by over 17, I think SA would end up scoring around 200 – 220 by end of 39 overs. Dhirendra - USA Prem: murali now going round the wicket, this is the second time kallis has gone down on one knee and waited for the ball before swinging him round with the turn, the change of angle works here, angling the ball across the right hander then turning it back into him. ball five, the top spinner, kallis tries to sweep, playing for turn and beaten by the straight one. last ball, again a top spinner, played defensively.

Prem: murali to continue, nice flight on that one, drawing kallis into the drive to cover, ranatunga fields. ball two, great shot -- again, kallis down on his knee, waits for it, then swings it hard with the turn, taking it from outside off, over long on for six more.

Prem: dharma to kallis, full length on middle, kallis checks the sweep, taking it on the full, single to the sweeper at midwicket to end the over.

Prem: dharma again, to cronje, 17th over in progress, on middle and leg, gently played out to midwicket, mahanama, single as the ball is placed frcationally wide of him.

Prem: dharma to cronje, here the offie sticking to an off stump line and pushing it through very flat, quick through the air, not looking for turn, a very restrictive line here.

Prem: Lanka also doing very well to get rid of cullinan, who took the game away from england the other day, today the lankans, both pace and spin, didnt let him get away with his fluent drives. dharma continues, cronje defends on line of off.

Prem: that's the 4th wicket gone for sa, and though this game is 11 overs short of the usual 50, four down this early means that unless the next pair bats very well from here, there may not be enough in hand for the push at the end.

Prem: dharma, ball two, to cullinan, huge sweep, the sa batsmen using this shot a lot today, this one was bowled flat and fast, cullinan going right across his stumps, hit on the back pad and he's gone, lbw.

Prem: dhirendra:: rain is the one thing I dont want to try prediction, pal

Dhirendra (dhirendra@hotmail.com) Morning Prem !!, I am reading your commentary and also watching the multimedia available on net( Live video stills and TV commentatory) This is the first rain hit match. What is weather forecast? Is there any chance that rain might intrrupt or stop the play? Dhirendra - USA Prem: superb shot this time, kallis onto his knee to one on off, checks his shot, lets the ball turn then swings with the turn, gets it very fine to the square leg fence, four more. last ball of the 16th, murali holds it back, kallis plays back down the track, no run.

Prem: the lankan fielding has been a fraction wayward, understandable given the udnerfoot conditions, murali now to cullinan, single out to mid off, brings kallis on strike, murali in this spell flighting the ball and bowling a very full length here, not letting the batsmen come down the track to him.

Prem: SA still going at around the 5.3 rpo mark, murali now to cullinan who sweeps, the arm ball beats the shot, kalu collects. kalu stumps, third umpire called in but the batsman home. next ball, flighted, driven to sweeper cover, two more.

apeeee () i personnally feel that srilankans inspite of getting early wickets would loose this match !!!! Prem: bye taken, and kallis on strike, flicks, finds short fine leg, no run.

Prem: dharma continues, to cullinan, tucks him up going wide of the crease and bowling flat and fast into off and middle, turning a bit and cramping the batsman. next ball, the arm ball going through, cullinan cuts, playing for the turn, beaten. good bowling. ball thre, on off, cullinan forward trying to work to leg, misses, unsights kalu and a stumping chance missed as well.

Prem: murali to kallis, who shapes to drive, the turn defeats him, finds cover, no run.

Prem: 5.55 the run rate at this point, which in a truncated game is not exactly a fiery start. Kallis now sweeping, misses, murali bowling that one a shade wide of the off stump. next ball, on off, swept, finds short fine leg, zoysa fields, but overthrow again, backing up by the lankans not quite up to the mark here. two for it.

Prem: Hi, Junk, whatever you are testing is working. cullinan sweeps again, gets one to deep square leg.

Prem: Thus far, at the break, honours would seem to be with sri lanka, they have prevented sa from getting off to a flier here, got three of their batsmen back in the hut -- despite a dropped catch and a missed run out chance, so things going very much ranatunga's way at the moment. murali to continue. cullinan sweeps, gets it fine, four to start off with. ball two, on off, gentle push to cover, cullinan wants one, kallis sends him back.

Prem: drinks on the field, taking a rbeather here, folks.

Prem: thus far, dharma getting some turn and bounce here, could be the result of moisture under the surface, he is not normally a big spinner of the ball. next ball, wide of leg, pitching leg and turning wide, called, an extra.

Prem: ball four, played with thes pin through midwicket, one more.

Prem: dharma to cullinan, outside off, the arm ball, beats cullinan on the cut, no run.

Prem: Lots of errors inthe field here from the sri lankans, another misdirected throw gets two off the first ball of dharma's over, the wet conditions hampering the normally fleet lankan fielders. kallis, ball two, sweeps, gets one more.

Prem: cullinan nicely forward,plays through mid on, single. last ball from murali, to kallis, played defesively out on the on, no run.

Prem: cullinan this time, works it off the ffront foot towards mid on, bit of a misfield gets the single turned into two. next ball, again off the pads, down to midwicekt, no run.

Prem: ball two, on off turning to middle and leg, gently played around by kallis, one more.

Prem: kallis on strike, on middle turning to leg first ball, played square on the on side nad finds the fielder.

Prem: with that, the field restrictions are off, so sri lanka can choke the batsmen down a bit more, muralitharan coming on to bowl and should get huge turn here.

Prem: sreekanth:: Donald resting, pollock and klusener injured.

Prem: dharma bowling well here, and kallis appears to be under pressure here, sweeping at everything and missing time nad again. dharma, slip in place, played off the pads behind square, single. end of the over.

MURTUZA TAYEB (murtuza_tayeb@hotmail.com) MR.PREM ISN'T IT SUPRISING THAT PAT SYMCOX HAS NOT BEEN SENT NOW.IF HE GETS GOING HE WOULD PLUNDER THE LANKAN SPINNERS.JUST AS I AM SENDING THIS MAIL MARK IS OUT .SO THERE WILL NOT BE ANOTHER PINCH HITTER NOW Sreekanth (sreekanth@yas.com.sg) Prem, looks like SA want to invert the batting order. BTW how come there are so many good players in SA and what happened to Donald & Pollock? Prem: Those two quick wickets though would have made a bit of a check to the SA guys, meanwhile, there comes the next one, Kallis, |Dharma starts the next over with a no ball.

Prem: cronje will have to revert to the original batting order now or he will find his best batsmen coming in at number 10 and 11 -- in any case, the field restrictions will come off after 11 overs, so no real point turning the batting order on its head from here on, I would think.

Prem: str:: this is now a 39 over game. zoysa, and there goes the wicket, the slower ball, angled across, Boucher tries to run it down to third man, the change of pace foxes the batsman, who ends up pushing it to the slip and Mahanama diving foward picks off a beauty, just gets his fingers under it. and boucher gone for no score. great bowling there from zoysa.

Prem: boucher on strike, drives to mid off, risky single but the throw jjust fails to hit.

Prem: batsmen had crossed over meanwhile, and it is cullinan on strike, gets a no ball which he flicks to point, single.

Prem: Another pinch hitter -- Mark Bouncer out there now. thhis is really interesting.

Prem: There goes the wicket, zoysa follows boje again as the batsman looks to step to leg and hit over the off side field, the ccramped conditions cause boje to mistime an attempted lofted drive over mid off, ends up putting the ball in the air for an easy catch to the mid off fielder and sa lose their second, the pinch hitter leaving after a fair job done.

str (str777@hotmail.com) SA will win str (str777@hotmail.com) SA will win Hi Prem! Can u tell me why S.A. is not on full strenght? Where are Donald and company? I am in US , so I don't know about it! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vels (svelmurugan@dns.ufsia.ac.be) Prem.. Thanks... BTW, I expect SA to set a IMPOSING TASK. Acc. to me SA odds on fav. to win this game. Shalini>> Hi!! Reg; your comment of BOJE, I wish to point out to you he is an ALL ROUNDER. As such, sending an all rounnder in a RESTRICTED game early for pinch hitting is a GOOD PLOY, I suppose!! What say?? Mehul (parekhm@hotmail.com) Hi Prem! Can u tell me why S.A. is not on full strenght? Where are Donald and company? I am in US , so I don't know about it! Prem: zoysa continues, lovely ball first up on middle, follows the batsman to leg, noo room for shots there.

Prem: 7 in the over, one ball left to be bowled, dharma to boje, who steps away, plays to backward point, good single taken.

Prem: that was clever work, he spotted the change of pace there and waited on it, on one knee, got right under it and thumped it around from outside off.

Prem: dharma to cullinan, who rocks back plays off his pads, one to deep midwicket and that is the 50 of the innings. going at 5.76 at this point. boje on strike, dharma tries the slower one, boje spots it, onto his knee, gets under the ball and swings it over midwicekt, four.

Prem: dharma now to boje, who at this point is looking to hit everyything out of the ground, ball two of the 9th, he steps away from the stumps, dharma holds it back and angles it onto leg, the batsman cramped, finds point with the checked push, no run. ball three, dharma, boje down the track, gets the single to square leg off the inner edge.

Prem: acs:: just answered your question re boje. guy is rated pretty high by the Proteans, they say he is a very hard hitting batsman in the lower order and thus far, he has batted well, not let the lankan bowlers have any dot balls, and is going at over a run a ball, so that's cool. first bowling change, off goes vaas, in comes dharmasena, 3 overs including this before the field restrictions come off. ball one, cullinan down the track, off the hips to backward square, single.

Prem: next ball, on middle and leg, cullinan swings and misses, leg bye.

Prem: zoysa to boje, who this time works it off his hips through midwicket, gets two more. zoysa again, a heave, not well timed, but still the single to midwicket. boje really settling to the role, has been having a heave ho at everything and hasn't wasted any balls, managing to put wood to it which is what he needs here.

Prem: srekanth:: like i said before the game began, if lanka win the toss, i would back them to win the match as well.

mt () hi ! prem glad to see you back again. Let us not forget bad conditions often lead to astonishing finishes. A score of 200 odd would be cool today !!! Lets See!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shalini () Boje trying to prove me wrong! Two quick fours - good match heating up ! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sreekanth (sreekanth@yas.com.sg) Prem I think although SA can maybe match SL in batting, SL will win because their bowling is superior and all the players are very experienced in this form of cricket. What do you think? Prem: zoysa again, cullinan steps back and tries to cut, the movement off the seam takes it out of reach. cullinan was lethal against england, but the lankans appear to have done their homework, not giving him room on the drive or cut. cullinan, next ball, gentle push for a single.

mt () hi ! prem glad to see you back again. Let us not forget bad conditions often lead to astonishing finishes. A score of 200 odd would be cool today !!! Lets See!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shalini () Boje trying to prove me wrong! Two quick fours - good match heating up ! Prem: and it will be zoysa to continue. on off, on driven by boje hitting on the up, gets one to the fielder at mid on.

Prem: Boje hasn't had much batting to do for sa thus far in his career, this is his highest score in odis, 18 off 14 thus far. and a conference here between the sl brains trust, aravinda, arjuna, mahanama, zoysa is there as well.

Himanshu (hthaku1@uic.edu) I would think that Boje isn't doing bad at all right now, for a number ten.. Prem: Boje 17 off 13 and slamming the next one hard to mid off, one more, moves to 18. end of the over.

Prem: vaas to boje, on leg, boje swings, gets it high on the bat but the huge backswing gets him the power he needs to clear long on, four for it.

Prem: vaas to cullnan, the three quarter length here, driven off the front foot past the bwoelr, mid off quickly across, gets one.

Prem: vaas to boje, inswinging full toss on leg stump, attempting the yorker, boje drives on the on, gets one to mid on.

Prem: vaas to cullinan, great bowling thus far by the left arm seamer and again, a good line, cullinan trying to drive, gets bottom of bat on it, hits hard into the ground, finds a single as the ball bounces out towards mid off.

Prem: vaas again, to cullinan, ball one is short, on off, cullinan punches off the back foot to mahanama, short cover, no run.

Shalini () I think it was not a good decision to send in the tail ender in overcast conditions as the ball seems to swing and sloggers find it more difficult to connect. Thus precious maiden balls are give away when a more recognised batsman would have got some useful runs. Prem: amend that, that was off the leading edge, so the run goes to the batsmana nd next ball, boje gets one in the slot, full length on off, he steps back and swings over cover, four for it to end the over.

Prem: zoysa again, to cullinan, on leg moving to middle, cullinan tries to flick and misses, leg bye.

Prem: boje on strike, to zoysa, goes outside off, swings it round to leg but finds the man out in the deep at midwicekt, just the single.

Prem: cullinian, ball three, off his pads to backward square as zoysa bowls a middle stump line, gets the single.

bharat () South Africa will never change.It will always lose in crucial matches Prem: ball two, zoysa, boje moves to leg looking for room to drive on the off, the bowler follows him, boje content to push to point and race the single.

Prem: Zoysa to continue, Boje on strike, Ranatunga moving his fielders around. Morning, Vels, good to see you. Meanwhile, first ball, Boje forward, lifting over midwicket to a ball on off and middle, not enough wood to reach the boundary, but two more for it.

Prem: vaas, last time in the over, to cullinan, on off, the batsman forward trying to work it over midwicket, misses completely.

Prem: vaas now to cullinan, two balls left in the over, slip in place here, plus short midwicket, this one is outside off, played to cover, finds the fielder, no run.

Prem: vaas again, to boje, on off, driven, finds mid off but running with the shot gets the single.

Prem: this game, the field restrictions go off after 12 overs, so seven more after this one. vaas, and boje swings it around, doesnt make proper contact, bat onto pad and down to slip, no run.

Prem: vaas, over number five, outside off and off the open bat face, cullinan runs this down to third man, gets the single.

Prem: good start thus far by sri lanka, they haven't allowed sa to get away. vaas, next over, first ball, strays too wide of off, cullinan steps forward and a lovely swing of the bat, the ball rockets through mid off, four more.

Prem: Outside off, Boje has a huge hit, moving to leg a bit to hit through off, the bowler spots it and fires in a yorker length ball just outside off, beats the shot. next ball, boje drives hard, from just outside off, ranatunga at short cover gets his hand to the ball and drops it.

Prem: Shalini:: actually, boje does give the ball a fair old thump when he wants to. meanwhile, cullinan off his pads, through square leg, gets the single and brings boje back on strike.

Shalini () What a promotion No 11 to 1 down ! SA Desperate ??? Prem: zoysa to cullinan, and this one is bowled right through the batsman -- on off, squared cullers up and beat him with late movement away.

Prem: Zoysa to Boje, this one on middle and leg line, swung around, misses, leg bye. Lots of flailintgg with the bat going on out there, understandable given the truncated nature of the game.

Prem: Amazing batting lineup though, SA, with Boucher coming in now at number 10. |They really bat very deep. Zoysa to Boje, who tries to drive, gets the bottom of the bat, down to third man, two for it.

Prem: vaas, last ball of the 3rd, to cullinan, on off and played defensively, no run.

Prem: It is Nicky Boje, so the pinch hitter IS out there. ON the card, he was shown as number 11.

Prem: That should bring Kallis to the wicket, unless Cronje decides to send in a pinch hitter. Be interesting to see what the sa captain does do.

Prem: nice line from vaas to the left hander, but he has tended to stray in the first over. ball two, on middle, seaming to off, this is what he was trying for last time as well, this is beautifully bowled, bang on target, rindell looked to play on the on, the inward movement gets the edge, ball flares to point and jayasuriya holds with ease. 12/1 SA. great work from vaas, that was a well thought out dismissal.

Prem: Rindell now on strike, vaas to bowl, on off seaming away, played to point, single.

Prem: vaas to cullinan, ball two, on leg, hits the batsman on the pad, quick leg bye taken.

Prem: Vaas to continue and this time, cullinan on strike, ball one on off, lovely full length and some late swing, the batsman defends.

Prem: ball six, gentle push in front and cullinan runs with it, great single stolen, to end the over.

Prem: zoysa to cullinan, pushed to point, rindell haflway down the pitch wanting the single, but sent back in time by the batsman.

Prem: *grinning at an offline post* Zoysa to rindell, outside off, pushed to point, bit of a misfield, upul chandana on that slippery outfield, that lets the batsmen cross in comfort.

Prem: Amulya:: sorry, was my mistake. cant give you the right one, just now.

Prem: zoysa to rindell, ball two, down the leg, rindell flicks and misses, off the pad to fine leg and two leg byes.

Prem: Zoysa to bowl the second over and it is rindell on strike, on off, lovely cover drive, finds the fielder, no run.

Prem: Murtuza:: The use of pat symcox to pinch hit would depend on when the first wicket falls, if it is after say 10 overs, then I would see little point in it.

Prem: J:: have a good one. :-)

Prem: vaas to rindell, on off, cramps the cut but a leg bye anyway, 7/0 at the end of the first.

Prem: Vaas getting lots of movement here, the recent rain, the slight overcast all helping and vaas is very good at using such conditions. fifth ball, on middle, bad line, trying to pitch off and seam it away but strays, and rindell makes full use, off his pads through midwicekt, four.

Shalini () Hi - we are in for some mad hitting today - SA should put up 300 in 40 overs to have a good chance Prem: Good ball again, off line and keeping it tight in that corridor, again late away movement, has rindell cramped.

Prem: Vaas again, on leg and played square on the on, two for it.

Prem: One slip in place, vaas to rindell, lovely late outswing on the first ball beats rindell as he tries to play straight down the line.

Prem: Chaminda Vaas to open for Lanka, Rindell on strike for SA. JWW: :-) Thanks again.

Prem: Sunil:: Actually, Cullinan is doing a great job as opener, so it doesn't matter that much. Okay, guys, from here on, hang on to your questions, things are going to get hectic so going to concentrate on commentary here.

sunil (sunildata@hotmail.com) prem do you think that in absence of kirsten S.A opening batting assault is far less than sharp. Prem: The interesting move is that sa have brought in an extra seamer in Steve Ellworthy. Meanwhile, ready for start of play. Well Wisher: thanks, friend.

Prem: Rajesh:: ACtually, chasing could be the better option, Lanka won the toss and elected to bat second.

Prem: So guys, the umpires coming back onto the ground, so we are at the most five minutes away from start of play.

Prem: Just a matter of time now, the entire Lankan side is out there, so things should start buzzing pretty soon.

Prem: Murtuza:: I think so -- unless, of course, rain comes down during the second innings and plays havoc. If the full 40 overs are played, then chasing is the better option.

MURTUZA TAYEB (murtuza_tayeb@hotmail.com) MR.PREM IS IT A GOOD DECISION TO CHASE IN THIS CONDITIONS Prem: The umpires are out there, and so are a few of the players. So are the covers, though. And finally, the covers are being removed, so hang in there, guys. the full house crowd is on its feet, applauding.

sunil (sunildata@hotmail.com) prem i would say as evident from there past recordalso that very little to choose between two teams i mean match will be very close Prem: Phaneesh () That decides the match. Srilanka deserving victors.(undeserving losers because of silly rainrules??

Prem: The interesting thing is that there are no real clouds around, so it shouldnt be too long a break.

Prem: it's just a few drops, not enough to really scare anyone, but the bottomline is a further delay in start of play.

Prem: Uh oh, more of a hold up. a slight, very slight drizzle, so the covers are out there again.

Prem: Murtuza:: There dont seem to be any clouds around, but I dont want to stick my neck out on stuff like rain, pal, not a clue.

Prem: 14 matches between these two sides, SA winning 7, Sri Lanka winning 6.

Prem: Okay, guys, from here on you will have to your questions down a bit, stick with the expert comments, going to be live.

Phaneesh. () Sameer right about the browser tip. Good thing if Prem registers it so that it could help others later. Prem: Amulya: herte you go: http://www.rediff.com/sportschat/interface.htm

Phaneesh. () Sameer right about the browser tip. Good thing if Prem registers it so that it could help others later. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amulya (akjena@hotmail.com) Prem/Sameer, This is the error I'm gettimg sameer. netscape: X Error of failed request: BadValue (integer parameter out of range for operation) Major opcode of failed request: 12 (X_ConfigureWindow Value in failed request: 0x0 Serial number of failed request: 541246 Current serial number in output stream: 541246 For the commentary window, I'm not getting any soace to enter the URL. It is just a pop up window. Can any one broadcast the direct URL for the commentary page. Prem: Sri Lankan skipper arjuna ranatunga has won the toss and will bowl first.

Prem: Ravi:: Play will start in about 5 minutes.

rajababu () With the present teams, the longer the game the better for the Lankans.They have just too many batsmen for a 50 over game and they all may not be utilised now. All said and done I would still back them today. Prem: The really interesting thing here is that the pitch, as it looks now, should be a beaut for batting on. so you mix it all up -- batting track, sticky, wet outfield, reduced overs, field restrictions off after 12, 8 overs per bowler -- it could be a wild game coming up.

Prem: Okay, guys, back. Ramana:: not exactly, Dhaka time is a few minutes ahead of ours, should start in about 25. Anil:: I would say the toss is pretty crucial -- on balance, I would back the sri lankans to win, especially if they are chasing.

Ramana (cvekm@nus.edu.sg) Yah! I am aware of the weekly chat feature. But could not make it because of busy schedule. By the way, Will the play be started by 5:10 (is it same as IST?)? Sameer () Browser problem : A tip - Open a new window and type the exact url of the window..I tried it, it works! anil (anil@indax.com) Hi prem.. what do U think is gonna happen today? p.madhavan (madhavanp@tatatel.co.in) I think South Africa will win today, because of their sheer fielding and batting capabilities, particularly in a truncated match wherein srilanka has only 2 lusty hitters (sanath & Aravinda)whilst boks have 4 guys in Rhodes,symcox,cronje & Berkenstein. Prem: GUYS, BACK IN TEN, HAVE SOME STUFF TO FINISH BEFORE THE GAME BEGINS... *GONE, BACK IN 10*

Prem: Hi to the guy with browser problems, no idea why that is happening, friend... we haven't changed the parameters.

Sameer () Now now, we don't want to get into the ridiculous rain rules again!! Hi Prem, This is something related to the browser that I am using to view the commentary. I'm using Netscape browser in SUN system. The problem is that I'm not able to resize the width of the screen. As a result I'm not able to view commentary properly. I've to use the horizontal scrollbar for each line. But commentary was getting wrapper during Ind-Aus match. Any idea why this is not happening today?? akash (akash@gail.co.in) great news for us Ken () I think BCCI should spend some more effort and money in nurturing and bringing up the youngsters. BCCI justs seems to be a money-making machine?? Prem: Ramana:: Yeah, well, I do miss that interaction but we had no option, really. \Even here, the other day, there were some idiots online with vulgar abuse, but when they figured their postings wouldnt be seen, they went away. If India is not playing, though, I will be live every Thursday in Rediff \chat, at 9 pm IST.

Ramana (cvekm@nus.edu.sg) Hi!Prem. After the other chat room was banned, Ithought there would not going tobe a chance todiscuss with u. Goodthat we have it now. Are they playing 40 overs? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prem: Phaneesh:: actually, they were scheduled to introduce bowl outs in the English county season -- this year, the final was almost decided by a bowl out.

Phaneesh () Courageous decision by Asif Iqbal to think about the bowlouts. You don't expect new ideas like that once in a decade do you..!! Prem: Phaneesh:: just to play devil's advocate, think of this. What if Cronje inserts Lanka, they get their full 40, then SA start batting, it strts to rain and the rain rules produce a ridiculous target? :-)

Phaneesh. () When you know there could be interruptions better to bat second. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Phaneesh. () Even otherwise.. Lankans are great chasers. That makes Cronje put them into bat immediately if he wins the toss. Prem: Vivek:: Search me, friend, I have never been able to quite understand that one.

vivek (vivekr@hotmail.com) Prem, vivek here form yesterday - a query - maybe irrelevant to today's match - why does azza come in at NO:3 when dravid is there in the 11?? Prem: Not really, Amish, you can always dry the ball with the towel, that is not such a big thing as to outweigh the other advantages.

Phaneesh () Prem:: India short of bowling talent. All and sundry want to bat. Youngsters who don't fail at batting take up bowling. Time we put in something for the bowlers in domestic cricket and make things interesting for them. Amish () Prem....seems the pitch could be a bit of a problem for the Sri spinners with the wet outfield.... Phaneesh. () Making Kumble captain could be a wonderful step in that direction. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- deba () we play less than this days cricketers after our annual exam in school days PC () Prem match in one hour from now? Phaneesh () Prem:: India short of bowling talent. All and sundry want to bat. Youngsters who don't fail at batting take up bowling. Time we put in something for the bowlers in domestic cricket and make things interesting for them. Ken () Prem, just scouring the streets of Bombay would do to unearth enough talent.. Sameer (schivate@hotmail.com) Yes, as always, our players have other commitments, only this time courtsey BCCI!! Phaneesh.. () If there was some luck and India had to play WI maybe a day could have been saved as reserve for the 2 Semis put togather with the same criteria.. but finally not so lucky. Things are quite tough. Prem: For South AFrica, though, it is rather tricky -- they COULD bring in Ntini as well, and bowl first and try to use the conditions. Their strength here is batting, so they will in any case want to bat second. On balance, I would say, the toss is crucial, the team batting second would be in with the better chance.

Prem: ravi:: It is a bit tricky actually. Let's see the possibilities. For Sri Lanka, very simple, win the toss, opt to field. Because Vaas and Zoysa can use the slight moisture on the pitch early on. Also, the outfield will be slower, so shots wont make it to the fence. and by the time they bat, conditions will be better.

Prem: ravi () coming back to this match.under these conditions which is safe to bat or bowl first?

Ken () Great news... far far better than a lottery to decide the winners.. Prem: Phaneesh:: better still think of what could happen if some of our stars, present and past, could do the same on Indian streets.

Prem: Yeah, Phaneesh, because of the Sharjah tournament. But 3rd still gives us two extra days. Oh well, academic now, the whole thing.

Phaneesh. () Prem, by the way India was one of those who told they can't play beyond 3rd if my sources are correct. Phaneesh. () Arjuna goes the Imran way in pick ups from streets. Think of what happens if he eventually picks up the offer of coaching Talent-rich Pakistan... Prem: Venkat after the 4.15 inspection says that play will start at 5.10 pm Bangla time. The extra hour possible will be utilised. There will be only a 10 minute break between innings. And, best of all, it willbe a 40 overs a side game. So that's it, guys, things could get real interesting in a hurry, the game should start in about 40 minutes from now.

Prem: Okay, guys, news coming up.

Prem: Ken:: having said that, I hope not -- would hate to see a cricket final decided by lottery, a better option would be to let both teams share the trophy.

Prem: Ken:: Yeah, those conditions apply throughout this tournament -- if sunday is a washout they will try for a replay monday, failing that, they will go for the bowl out.

Ken () Prem, will the same criteria (bowl out..) apply if the final is washed out and the reserve day too. Prem: Hi, jagga, howzit going? :-)

Prem: Phaneesh:: granting that, reserve days at least for the semis and finals, pal -- a bowl out for the sake of making money sticks in my craw, kinda.

Phaneesh. () Prem:: there was no such month available completely bereft of international engagements for all boards for nearly the next 3 and 1/2 years. But ICC wanted to get some money to promote the game quickly. They saw some chances and requested Pak and Aussies to make a short trip. Given all this well organised. But some small things in the given time could have been worked out. Prem: gowda:: that is because no play is happening just now, so no score to update.

gowda (gowda@intraksys.com) What is the probelm with rediff server the score update and other things are not comming properly can U made clear for that server. Prem: Phaneesh:: Yeah, and they gave us a good close look at the lad during delivery and tell you what, his grip on the seam is better than that of Adams -- I would think he will have more control over the extent of turn than Adams, who lets it rip each time. With more control, that means you can vary the amount of turn, that makes you harder to play than a guy who turns the same way every ball.

Ravi () Prem: It is really nice that Sri Lankan players brought 7 years old boy who bowls exactly like Adams. Those moments are to be video taped and played in all sporting channels. That would help a lot of youngsters in developing and morale boosting. Ken () Phaneesh, atleast they could have kept a reserve day for both the Semis!! and then rescheduled it.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Phaneesh. () Heard this guy bowls like Paul Adams... The 5 year old lad with the SL team.. Funny heh.. Prem: Ken:: a new pitch every day, pal. all pretty much of the same character, but the rain and moisture should make the one for today slightly seamy early on, and slower towards the close -- the kind of conditions the Lankans will love.

Especially Robin... BTW, which pitch is being used for today and tomorrow?? Ken Prem: Phaneesh:: But that is because the entire tournament was so hastily conceived. For the World Cup, you dont have such problems, right? Why? Because tournament dates are decided well in advance, and all boards are informed in time. Where then was the unholy rush to have this tournament in such a hurry? It could have been planned keeping in mind the various schedules of the various teams -- instead of being pushed thorugh like this, leading to a situation where Pakistan and Aus play tests, then come here, then go back to play ODIs -- all that is because of rush, haste, and complete lack of forethought.

Phaneesh () To give an example, even if all the 4 teams who have reached semis now were to have all time in the world to compete(not necessarily true) one couldn't plan. Because say Australia didn't have time, and they did not know they would be eliminated. So it is quite tough to plan. Phaneesh () Deba, you also have to agree that with 9 bigwigs participating and all of their boards will have to be satisfied Prem: Ken:: Sure, is why I am backing India in a full game -- the same bowling that Pak found difficult is just what Tendulkar, Ganguly, Azhar, Jadeja and Robin will feed on, that slow stuff.

Ken () Prem, I agree with your predictions for tomorrow. But still India being India, we should definitely doubt if it's a shorter game. Well Indians are far ahead of this Windies team in talent!! Prem: Meanwhile, there is this little boy, should be about 7 years old, apparently discovered by Ranatunga and taken under his wing, the Lankan team has brought him here on their expense, he bowls exactly like Paul Adams, and I just watched him bowl a couple to Aravinda and the lad actually spins it a long way. Aravinda says that the Lankans think him a prospect for the future and have been keeping him with them during practise, teaching him the ropes. Nice to see.

deba () yes, I agree. but this organizers, they don't love the game and they don't care about the players or the spectators. they just try to cramp as many matches possible within a shortest possible schedule. Phaneesh. () Couple of tricks.. Could have asked for a day match next day (25 over albiet) and then get on with schedule. Could have made things easier. Prem: Ravi:: Like I mentioned in response to someone else, no idea what the weather will do, your guess is as good as mine.

Prem: What is interesting out there now is that both teams are out on the field, warming up, practising various things -- the Lankans in fact were practising the bowl out. So they obviously feel that there is possibility of play today.

Prem: Should be interesting if the full match is on tomorrow, though. I was backing Windies to win against Pakistan in my preview, and for the same reasons, in a full game, I would back India to beat this windies outfit in course of a 50-over match. reduce that, though, and all bets are off, anything could happen, especially given India's tendency to lose its collective cool when a crunch situation comes up.

Phaneesh. () I second Prem on this one. Whichever activity, wherein 25% of all time is not spent in planning ends up as a failure. Prem: Ken:: Well, tell you what, the night before the tournament started, the weather forecast was partly cloudy the first two days, rain on day three, we got instead bright sunshine the first two days and unprecendented 42+ temp the third day -- bottomline being, who in heck knows. :-)

Ken () Prem, Is there possibility of rains tomorrow? I hope that there could be a full game!! Phaneesh. () If tried out, Most bowlers will hit stumps on the full toss or at best on the 1/2 volley. Phaneesh. () If tried out, Most bowlers will hit stumps on the full toss or at best on the 1/2 volley. Prem: ssp:: if the match is abandoned, the bowl out rule will be used to determine a result, no run rate law will apply, and it will not be replayed tomorrow because tomorrow is fixed for the India-Windies game.

Prem: To Deba and Pramod:: Frankly, in this I am a purist -- I think any of these shortcuts reduces the game to a lottery, which it is not intended to be. I would think that the best solution is for more sense in scheduling -- for a tournament this crucial, with all nine test playing nations in action, a minimum of one reserve day for each match would have been mandatory, but here, they are playing a match a day.

deba () anyway bowl-out is a bogus idea. it would be better if both the team chose two players from their side and play a kind of double wkt match. Pramod (sa_pramod@hotmail.com) Prem, I've always thought that bowlers are the whipping boys of cricket. Instead obowl slowly and reduce their run up and all that. Don't be misled that they will have to bowl with exactly the same action and run up they ahve done all these years. Prem: rajib:: well, tell you what, if I were a team coach, rather than waste net time helping a non regular learn to bowl and consistently hit the stumps, I would prefer to have the regular bowler do that, since it can only make him a better bowler.

rajib () okay prem, if a teamm manager really works out his non-regular bowlers at the net, then ? Prem: Interestingly, Venkat also says that the playing conditions stipulate that you can have an extra hour added on to play -- which means that if they can start play, they dont have to restrict themselves to 25 overs, but can push for as much as they can get in. To clarify, say play starts by 5, they can go on till 11, that is six hours, with half an hour break, that is two and a half hours per innings, making it possible to get over 35 overs in. For now it is fingers crossed and hoping, the silver lining being that the pitch and run ups seem nice and firm now, the rollers stillbeing used on the run ups, so it is only the damp underfoot conditions on the outfield that need drying.

Prem: For now, Venkat thinks that the conditions have improved tremendously. And that his thinking is that there will be another inspection at 4.15. At that point, he says, there can be a definite decision.

Prem: Venkat now being interviewed by Michael Holding, he is one of the two officiating umpires. We will update you in just a minute.

Prem: Rajib:: yes, that is a possibility, the use of the non regular bowlers. But the problem with that would be that the non-regular, not being a rhythm bowler, just might goof up where the regular bowler, without even a batsman to impede him, is more likely to hit the stumps. Look at it this way, if you had a penalty shootout to take in football, wouldn't you want your best strikers to take the kicks, in preference to a guy who maybe only plays as a substitute? Same difference.

In case of "bowl-out" tie-breaker, if any team chooses 5 not so regular bowlers (for example, ganguly or sachin), then these bowlers can bowl in any style, they can bowl slower and straight so that it has more probability of heating the stumps. Don't they get some added advantage in this case. What's your opinion, Prem ? Rajib Prem: Sindi:: the bowl out rule as conceived is pretty simple. Each team will pick five bowlers. They will bowl at a set of stumps, with their normal run up (no underarm stuff allowed). The number of hits of the five bowlers, each bowling one ball, of both teams are compared, the winner decided on the basis of which team's bowlers hit the stumps more. If after both teams bowl out their five bowlers at a ball apiece things are tied, then there will be a sudden death -- that is, one bowler from one team will bowl one ball, then the other bowler, from the other team, and so on, till one hits and the other misses. That is about all there is to that.

Prem: If both these possibilities are not on, then comes the bowl out. One other possible, of course, is to play this on Sunday, and then use the reserve day, Monday, for the final -- however, indications are that this option will not be resorted to, the intent being to get a result, one way or the other, today. So that is the bottomline, as far as possibilities go: the organisers will try to get in a minimum 25 overs a side game, failing that they will shoot for a 15 overs a side affair even though if that happens it wont make the record books, and failing that as well, they will in all probability go for the bowl out. Which is all we have by way of updating you on the possibilities, be back with more at the time of the next inspection, which should be in about 15 minutes or so from now. See you then.

Prem: The second option is that of a 15 overs a side game -- which will NOT be counted as a full fledged ODI, but will be used, as per the ICC directives governing this tournament, merely to determine which of these two teams go into the final. For this, play can start by 8.30 pm Bangladesh time

Prem: The first option is for a 25-overs-a-side match. For this to be possible, play has to start not later than 7.15 Bangladesh time. If this can be done, then the game will count as a full fledged ODI. more....

Prem: Meanwhile, to respond to some of the questions in there about the rules and possibilities:

Prem: Ravi:: To answer your question, no, they wont play both semis tomorrow -- that is not provided for. It is either a minimum 25 overs a side match, or the bowl out, later tonight. See you in a few, guys, getting back to work here.

Prem: Alright, guys, the repair work is still happening at the ground -- the skies are clear, so that is one plus. The big problem is that the ground is clayey in nature, sort of like the Gardens, Calcutta, so it takes a long while to dry out. The good part of it all is that even if play can be started in 4 hours from now, they can get in a 25 over game -- which I think is what they will shoot for, but we should have more news for you guys in about 15 minutes, after the next inspection by the umpires. Meanwhile, back to work here, see you in a few.

Prem: Nothing official about this, as the adline used to say, but the last visuals I got from Dhaka indicate that the weather has cleared up, the covers are completely off, things look good for some kind of cricket to take place today -- the only villains for now being a couple of damp patches at the run ups, which the guys with the mops, brushes and sawdust are working on now. Stand by for fresh updates, as and when....

Prem: Meanwhile, working on other stuff, guys, be back in an hour, when the umpires come out to inspect the ground next, to update you on what happens.

Prem: Ravi, and any others out there: It is nott raining in Dhaka. It did rain last night and this morning, the ground is not the kind that dries fast, lots of soft areas out there so the super sopper now in operation. As to whether there will be play, the two captains both said they would prefer even a 25-overs a side game to a bowl out -- if the sun does come out, then the drying process will be quicker, I am inclined to think that some kind of match will be played today.

Prem: THIS IS TO INFORM ALL OF YOU THAT TODAY'S FIRST SEMIFINAL, BETWEEN SRI LANKA AND SOUTH AFRICA, HAS BEEN DELAYED DUE TO RAIN. WE ARE TOLD THAT THERE WILL BE ANOTHER INSPECTION OF THE PITCH AND OUTFIELD IN AN HOUR'S TIME FROM NOW, AT WHICH POINT WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU WITH FURTHER UPDATES. IN THE MEANTIME, ADIOS.

Prem: Prem: First semifinal between Sri Lanka and South Africa will start at 1:15 IST

Prem: irst semifinal between Sri Lanka and South Africa will start at 1:1

Continued