DURBAN: As the South African Airways aircraft touched down at the Durban International Airport, the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean dazzled like De Beers diamonds. For those coming from India via Johannesburg, it was a different experience. No clouds, no chill and no rains. It was like any sunny day in India. Any sweaty day too.
For Rahul Dravid & Co it was, perhaps, the first full sunshine day since their arrival in South Africa last week. Needless to day, a welcome relief from the gloomy weather of Johannesburgwhich has experienced unexpected showers all through the last week when the Indian team had very little time at the nets and no play at all (barring a practice match). Moments after landing in Durban, the Indian team rushed to Kingsmead, the venue of the 2nd one-day international on Wednesday, for an impromptu and unscheduled practice.
Having said that, it is not sure for how long the sun will keep shining. If the local met office is to be believed, Durban too is set to come under a cloud. Heavy rains and thunderstorm are forecast for the match day.
That, of course, is more bad news for the home team than the visitors. After the washout on Sunday, the South African coach said the team was extremely disappointed. “We were very positive arriving at the ground (Wanderers) and we were really positive about the game. We are disappointed that it didn’t happen,” Micky Arthurs said. “We love playing at the Wanderers and we were looking to start off the series on a positive note.” He also regretted that there was no reserve day for the matches.
The organisers and the fans did too.
