Rain to hamper Australia-India ODI battle
Sep 20, 2017 - 9:40 AM Persistent rain is threatening to derail Australia's bid to level their one-day international series against India in Kolkata.After Steve Smith's men lost the first ODI in Chennai on the Duckworth-Lewis method, they could again be forced into a shortened contest in game two.
If the match is abandoned, Australia will need to win in Indore to keep their hopes of of victory in the five-match series alive.
Australia have trained indoors in the two days leading up to match with Eden Gardens completely covered ahead of Thursday's game.
India abandoned Tuesday's practice and retreated indoors on Wednesday as weather forecasters made ominous predictions for match day.
But despite trailing 1-0, the gloom hasn't extended to the Australian camp after effectively being forced into a T20 chase in Chennai.
"It was tough coming down to 20 overs and they started really well with the ball," legspinner Adam Zampa said.
"The wicket was spinning quite well and the wrist spinners were quite hard to pick at night.
"Hopefully it's a little bit different under a 50-over situation."
Makeshift opener Hilton Cartwright is likely to get another chance at the top of the order with Aaron Finch nursing a calf injury.
Australia have a range of allrounder options with James Faulkner and Marcus Stoinis combining for 20 overs of seam in the first match.
Cartwright was unused as a medium pacer, while Travis Head wasn't called on to bowl his offspin.
In Pat Cummins and Nathan Coulter-Nile, Australia have two in-form quicks to take the new ball.
If the pitch looks like turning, orthodox left-armer Ashton Agar - no slouch with the bat - is waiting in the wings.
"We have plenty of variety in our attack with two quicks who bowled very well for us the other day," Zampa said.
"We've got Jimmy (Faulkner) bowling what he does, a legspinning option and some offspin as well."
Australia will start underdogs but weren't embarrassed in Chennai.
India were 3-11 and 5-87 before MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya rallied to take their side to 7-281.
The rain came in the break and Australia fell short of their revised target of 164 from 21 overs.
Source: AAP
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