T20 final faces KO by weather
THE T20 World Cup final between England and Pakistan tomorrow is in danger of ending in farce with rain set to wreak havoc in Melbourne.
Just two weeks ago three matches were washed out at the MCG and now another one could go – despite a reserve day being available.
A minimum of 10 overs per side will be required to constitute a game.
Should both tomorrow and Monday fall foul of the weather the trophy will be shared.
England are preparing as normal, though, and claim they have “unfinished business”.
A rocky start for
new captain Jos Buttler and head coach Matthew Mott in the summer has been forgotten about now.
Mott said: “We haven’t just come here to make the final, we’ve come here to win it.
“And I’ve got a clear feeling that everyone was motivated to do that after the semi-final.
“It was a good dressing room to hang out in, there were guys sitting around and talking and chatting and reflecting on the game that we’ve been pursuing for a while.
“It all came together but it was a realisation we’ve still got unfinished business and a big game still to come.
“I think the team had lost a little bit of its mojo and a little bit of its swagger, maybe. And that happens when you have changes in leadership at times.
We’re back to where we want to be and the team’s playing with a lot of confidence, they’re trusting each other’s games
“We go into the final really confident, but we won’t be taking anything for granted.”
Heavy rain is forecast for tomorrow’s final in Melbourne, which has already had three games washed out, but Matthew Hayden (inset) insists that Pakistan should not be looking too much at the changing weather patterns.
Aussie great Hayden, Pakistan’s team mentor, added: “We were meant to have rain and here we are having had a look at the wicket and it’s excellent.
“It’s in the lap of the Gods - who knows about the weather here in Melbourne? It’s variable and we’re going to have to put up with it.”