Chopper, sun could allow 20 over match

Guwahati, Apr 9 (UNI) The earliest the India-England fifth ODI can get underway, after an Army helicopter was called in to dry the ground, is around 1330 hrs.

The Home Ministry helicopter came and did its job for about an hour drying the outfield and tossing the billboards around the ropes.

Having satisfied the ground staff with its efforts the chopper left at around 1030 hrs, leaving the ground for inspection.

Umpires Rudy Koertzen and A V Jayprakash after satisfying themselves, said they would make another inspection at around 1200 noon.

Asked about the match prospects they said the earliest it could begin was around 1330 hours and it could posibly be a 20 over match with a 10-minute change over time.

Koertzen said the need of the hour was some bright sunshine and they got that when the sun god smiled on the green turf.

The Assam Cricket Association did their best, first getting the ground staff to work overtime, make the super sopper work and then get the chopper to dry out the problem, as they say.

UNI BA KK PM ND1224