Respite for India and Cape Town as rain hits Test

CAPE TOWN: Persistent rain washed out the third day’s play in the first Test between India and South Africa at Newlands here on Sunday. Cape Town has received sporadic unseasonal rain over the last two weeks, but Sunday’s probably was the longest spell received so far.

A couple of times it looked like the rain might relent, but mild drizzle persisted and that didn’t allow the groundsmen to completely remove the covers.

The India team stayed in the hotel while the support staff came to check the conditions in the morning. The team came to the ground during the scheduled lunch break but left after play was officially called off at 3.30 pm local time.

Play will resume on Monday at the normal time.

SIGH OF RELIEF

Rain may have washed out the day’s play but neither India nor Cape Town will complain. Facing acute water shortage, Cape Town will more than embrace this rain as the region is facing water crisis.

In fact, some of the local journalists were heard saying the India team had brought unseasonal rains with them.

India needed this break to regain composure so that they can take to the field on Monday with a specific plan. On the backfoot after conceding a 77-run lead in the first innings, India were pushed to the corner on Saturday with the South Africa openers compiling 52 runs in the first 15 overs. They were 65/2 at stumps.

Hardik Pandya removed both openers Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar but with Hashim Amla at the crease and nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada shielding AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis, South Africa know they have the batsmen to build the overall 142-run lead into a target beyond India’s capability.

Considering the pace at which this Test was progressing, an early finish was on the cards. But now it definitely looks like play will stretch into the fifth day. Unless the India seamers produce inspired spells, South Africa could run away with the game.

But Sunday’s rainfall forced the pitch to remain under covers the entire day. This will lead to a considerable amount of sweating of the pitch and leave juice on it for India’s seamers to exploit.

A total of 98 overs will be bowled on Monday and Tuesday following the washout. Play will start at 10.30 am as usual but there will be extentions of playing time in between to accommodate the extra eight overs to be bowled during the day.