Cricket: Maths no use as rain wrecks run fest

By Richard Boock

WELLINGTON - New Zealand cricketer Gavin Larsen captured his 100th one-day international wicket yesterday, in what was the simplest mathematical challenge of the day by a long stretch.

The 36-year-old seamer became the seventh New Zealander to register the milestone when he had Indian star Sachin Tendulkar stumped during yesterday's washed-out Bank of New Zealand one-dayer - which will be replayed (weather-permitting) at the Basin Reserve today.

Cricket is supposed to be a simple game, but when it comes to the mind-numbing complexities of sorting out a weather-affected one-dayer, officials need a computer the size of Lotto's to come up with the revised target. It was that sort of day yesterday. The Mathematicians Strike Back.

And in the end, not even the bewildering statistical system of Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis could save yesterday's match from a large dose of Wellington rain, which delayed the start, interrupted the Indian innings, and washed out the match after 12.1 overs of the Kiwi reply.

Chasing the slightly tweaked target of 212, after India made 208 for four in a reduced 32-over first innings, New Zealand were rolling along merrily at just above seven an over when the final curtain of rain descended, leaving Bryan Young unbeaten on 52 - his eighth one-day international 50 - and Roger Twose at the wicket.

The Indians bowlers seem to be the only ones left on the planet who do not understand that Young, whatever his limitations, can play fairly usefully square of the wicket on the off-side. Auckland's new opener brought them up to speed yesterday, hitting nine fours in a 39-ball half-century which could set him up for the rest of the series.

In the end, when the players were forced from the field at 4.37pm, India possibly had the most reason to be relieved, as Young in particular was growing in confidence and New Zealand were rollicking along at 89 for two.

Both his score and Larsen's - and everyone else's for that matter - will go into the record books, even though the match is to be replayed, courtesy of a recent International Cricket Council edict that all one-day internationals should be recognised statistically.

This will be good news, in particular, for Larsen, who left the Basin Reserve last night convinced his 100th dismissal would be erased from the record books as soon as the first ball of the replay was delivered.

He possibly would not have worried too much if his economy rate had been scrubbed out, however, as Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Azharuddin made the most of the limited time they had at the batting crease, but he should have no problem remembering who his 100th wicket was.

It happened the delivery after Tendulkar had smitten Larsen so high over the sightscreen that the ball landed at the foot of a television cameraman standing on the scaffolding tower. The little right-hander wanted more and charged again the next ball, but was stumped.

"He'll do" said Larsen afterwards, when asked if he was pleased his 100th wicket should be someone so highly regarded. "It was great, naturally, especially after he'd hit me for that six. I nearly cricked my neck trying to watch it."

The teams will now attempt to prepare themselves for what effectively will be three games in three days, with today's replay to be followed by the fourth one-dayer in Auckland tomorrow.

Pictured: Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin. HERALD PICTURE / MARK MITCHELL