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Rain threatens Tigers' clash with Aussies

Kiwis make light work of England

BISHWAJIT ROY from Brisbane
Michael Clarke's comeback, Bangladesh's renewed confidence, the Tigers' first opportunity to play at the Gabba; ideally there would have been a number of issues to focus on ahead of today's World Cup fixture. But it is cyclone Marcia which dominated the proceedings at the Brisbane Cricket Ground yesterday.
The city was not in the mood to replicate the joyous fervour as seen in the different parts of the country; rather they were all worried about the impact of the cyclone. Even in the pre-match press conference, the main focus, expectedly so, was people's safety.
"Our main focus as a team is with the people of Queensland. So as much as we would like to get out on the field and continue our form in the World Cup, we need to realise how bad this cyclone is and care most about the people of Queensland, make sure everybody is healthy and safe and our prayers are with a lot of people throughout the State," said Australia skipper Michael Clarke.
An Aussie Rules football match in the region was cancelled while a rugby match was in doubt as well. Considering the fact that cricket is a game that is more at the mercy of weather, chances for this match to take place looked really slim. The ICC even released a statement issuing its concerns regardingthe fixture.
The pitch at the Gabba has been covered forthe last three days.
For most parts of the day, Bangladesh's players, most of who are hoping to play against the Australians in one of the most famous grounds of the country, stared at the green outfield with blank faces. Their practice sessions were curtailed to the indoors. It wasn't an ideal scenario for either of the teams ahead of such a big game.
Perhaps the only moment of the day when it seemed like there was in fact a World Cup match scheduled was when both the captains turned up for the prematch press conference.
The spotlight of the press conference was on a curtailed match. Both skippers
hoped that the rain would eventually stop and bring with it a long session of sunshine. That would of course be enough for the ground to dry up as the ground here boasts of having a good drainage system.
The fact that neither team could practice on the field, ahead of the game was no doubt frustrating However, it was the visiting skipper who was left a bit more anxious than his counterpart His side are completelyunfamiliar with the venue.
"We couldn't prepare properly today. But I am still hoping against hope. We will be really happy if we can play this match," a disappointed Mashrafe Bin Mortazasaid.
However, as things currently stand, it would indeed require a miracle for Mashrafe's desire to come true.
If the match is washed out, both teams will receive one point each.
While Cyclone Marcia was casting a dark shadow over the prospect of today's match, across the Tasman Bay, New Zealand enjoyed enough sunshine to condemn England to an eight-wicket defeat in Wellington. A fiery spell from Tim Southee reduced the visitors from 103 for three to 123 all out before the hosts raced to the victory target in 12.2 overs losing just two wickets. Southee's seven for 33 stood out as the third best bowling figures in World Cup history while New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum registered the fastest World Cup fifty (52 off 18 balls) on way to smashing 77 offjust 25 deliveries.