KUALA LUMPUR. Sept 8 (AFP): Ajay Jadeja's Indians and Commonwealth Games organisers were seeking out a holy man to help save cricket's debut at the event here Wednesday.

Bomoh, a legendary Malaysian miracle man who prays to keep the rain away for important occasions, was needed as rain threatened to wash out the Games.

The Indians have every reason to pray for clear skies as they take on Antigua's fiery Eace attack led by Curtly Am-rose on an unpredictable wicket at the Kilat Club on Wednesday.

When told by organisers that Bomoh’s prayers were always answered. Jadeja had one look at the damp turf and responded: Bring him on. We all need him.”

Heavy rain, a dally feature for the past four days, has increased the workload of groundsmen more used to laying out matting wickets for local matches.

We've worked hard to get the turf wickets ready for the tournament, but the weather has not helped us at all," a Games official said.

Despite the presence of batting maestro Sanchin Tendulkar. India know the conditions are ideal for Ambrose and

his pace mates Winston Benjamin. Kenneth Benjamin. El-dine Baptiste and Hamish Anthony.

"Forget the Australians, we need to get over Antigua first." Indian coach Krish Srikkanth said. "This is certainly no pic-

The Indians have just four frontline players in skipper Jadeja. Tendulkar. Anil Kumble and Robin Singh, as the rest of the national team under Mohammad Azharuddin battle Pakistan in the Sahara Cup in Canada from Saturday.

"It's probably not the ideal situation, but there was no choice but to divide the team once our board decided to field strong sides for both events,” Srikkanth said.

"Matches here may not have official status, but every international is a tough ball game, the race for the gold medal will not be easy."

Antigua, coached for former master blaster Vivian Richards, is one of the three West Indian nations besides Barbados and Jamaica taking part in the 16-team event.

Richards, whose team also includes former West Indian captain Richie Richardson, was optimistic.

"We hear Australia and India are the gold medal favourites.

but they have to beat us first." Richards said.

Canada, who take on Steve Waugh's full-strength Australians at the Kelana Jaya Stadium on Wednesday, complete the toughest of the four groups which will send one team each into the semifinals.

The Aussies. coming off their off-season, will miss their best bowlers Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne through injuries.

But the presence of the Waugh brothers and Ricky Ponting in strong one-day squad, make Australia favouri-ties for the title.

In other opening matches. Hashan Tillekeratne's depleted Sri Lanka take on hosts Malaysia. Jamaica play Zimbabwe and under-strength Pakistan meet Scotland.

Sri Lanka, the World Cup champions, are without most of their Test stars and have a strong Zimbabwe to reckon with in Group A. Pakistan, led by former Test opener Saleem Elahi. have Kenya and New Zealand to tackle in Group D.

Group C matches will begin on Thursday with Shaun Pollock's South Africa taking on Northern Ireland and Barbados playing World Cup qualifiers Bangladesh.