GALLE, June 26: Incessant rain plaguing the ongoing Independence Cup Triangular cricket series tournament looked set to score a hat-trick with monsoon showers threatening to wash out the fifth league tie, between hosts Sri Lanka and New Zealand, at the Esplanade Stadium tomorrow.There were little signs of the weather improving after rain forced abandonment of the India-Sri Lanka tie yesterday. Tomorrow's tie looks destined to meet a similar fate, with venues both in Colombo and the Galle ground under one inch of water.
Galle, situated right on the southern coast, continues to receive heavy rain and a stormy weather has hit normal life.
Only the opening fixture where India convincingly beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets escaped weather interruption. The New Zealand-India tie had to be abandoned after India's easy chase was halted by rain. Yesterday's India-Sri Lanka tie here had to be abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain.There is little chance of the fixture being shifted to Colombo as theweather is as murky there.
Owing to rain, the New Zealand team arrived here only late in the day to have a look at things in the newly built stadium.
There was sunshine during the later part of the day which has given some hope to officials. ``The fishermen predict bright weather for tomorrow and we hope to have atleast a 25-over match,'' said Mahendra Deshapriya, Galle Association President. The Kiwis, however, were in high spirits. Fast bowler Alex Tait replaced Shayne O'Connor who flew back home following a knee injury during the tie against Sri Lanka at Colombo on June 21 which the hosts won comfortably.
India, who won the opening tie and took a point each from the next two abandoned matches, lead the table with four points from three matches. Sri Lanka are second with three points while New Zealand have a lone point from the abandoned tie against India.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.