Australia were left scratching the heads after tropical storm Marcia threatened to spoil their crucial World Cup match against Bangladesh, scheduled in Brisbane on Saturday.
This was the match the Aussies were hoping to win easily to clear the way for quarter-finals but Marcia raised a fear that they might have to be contended with just one point.
The category-five storm, Marcia, accompanied by fierce winds, is expected to hit the Queensland coast today, already caused heavy rain and would persist until Saturday according to the local meteorologist.
It left the chance of even a curtailed over match slim unless a dramatic change in weather.
The Aussies were planning to unleash at least four quick bowlers - Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins– on Bangladesh who are vulnerable against genuine pace.
The generally quick pitch at the Gabba prompted the Aussie to think about form pace quartet together to ensure they do not slip against a side considered as tournament outsider.
The wicket expected to be under cover for few days, the pacers were also licking their lips, according to local media, who had predicted a lively welcome for Bangladesh. One local newspaper on Thursday even had suggested Bangladesh to collect some sandbags that are being distributed to local residence for using them in case the game goes ahead.
According to the newspaper, Bangladeshis may also be left for ducking for cover like the thousands of Queenslanders who are hunkering down to face cyclone Marcia.
What was initially an encouraging sign is gradually turning out to be a disappointment for Australia as the game itself is now left at the mercy of Marcia.
The storm is much stronger than it was initially thought as the meteorologists raised it from category three to five overnight predicting huge rain as a direct result.
The rain already started dominating the game plan of Australia with wicketkeeper Brad Haddin on Thursday said that they are unsure of their team as weather made it difficult for them.
‘It’s actually hard to give you a team or what we’re really thinking because we’re so unsure of what’s going to happen with the weather and what’s going to happen when they pull the covers up,’ Haddin told reporters at Brisbane.
‘We got a bit more load into us than we normally would,’ Haddin said after Australia’s training session had been restricted to a series of fielding drills on the Gabba outfield before the rain forced them to the indoor nets.
‘It (training three days before a match) is normally an individual session but we had more of a team session thinking the rain was probably going to play a part over the next couple of days.
‘But all it has done is delay the announcement of our team, to be perfectly honest,’ said Haddin adding their plan of horses for courses is still a strong possibility provided there is a game.
-With New Age input
