Rain-dance before the final act

Waiting for the start of the game that would end the long-dragging World Cup was frustrating for many.

Waiting for the start of the game that would end the long-dragging World Cup was frustrating for many. Facing the prospect of the event being stretched to the maximum — the reserve day would have meant a 48th day—there was anxiety, edginess and downright cynicism.

As those in the stands without roof moved in search for cover, despite the full house, there were empty seats after the toss. Not a real indicator of the interest level for the final, but a certain reminder that the World Cup in its entirety didn’t quite live up to its hype locally or globally on television.

A good way to judge the excitement among the thousands moving towards the Kensington Oval this morning or to predict the colours they are wearing was to take a look at their feet. The hurried and nervous walk with a few fidgety stops to avoid stepping on toes or to ask direction was of those either wearing the Sri Lanka or the Aussie jerseys. While there are the other neutral, cricket lovers expecting a good game or those stuck with the final tickets, who lazily moved to checked the Lord’s-inspired new stadium or listening to the musicians on the way. That mortal fear of missing the first ball or even the toss wasn’t something they bothered about.

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But despite the varying pace of their mobility or their mental state there was an anti-climax in store for them as they reached their seats. A heavy downpour meant those without the roofs scrambling around and those with seats, that could keep them dry, had other worries. They spoke about Duckworth and Lewis, the early advantage to bowl first and some spotted a disaster in the horizon. With many booking tickets for tomorrow the prospect of the game being played on the rest day wasn’t quite pleasing.

While lamenting their fate they spoke about the brilliant drainage system — said to be the best in the Caribbean. And there were enough indications that their trust was water-tight. The heavy downpour was reduced to few drops of moisture on the green grass as all the excess water was soaked in.

As the rain stopped for a while the Lankans were the first to come out as they warmed up with rugby. The Aussies were a few minutes late and true to the tradition of being the world champions they entered the arena in style. First a small huddle and then breaking out in a lap with a stop stopover for stretching near the stand with the maximum of Aussies in it. Soon they packed and were on the dressing room balcony as the drizzle started again.

After a wait of 2 hours and 45 minutes as the sun, after shuffling its stance several times, finally took guard some bowed their heads and others blew kisses at the sky. But still there remained a hollow feeling when it was announced that it was a shortened affair. The past 47 days were spent trying to find out the best team that bowled and batted well for 100 overs. The wholeness that 100 has about it, 76 certainly doesn’t have. And that’s something a Lankan fan said as he walked back to his seat carrying a beer glass in pouring rain. “It’s diluted,” he said. That said a lot.