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India in bid to switch day-night semi

March 05, 2003 21:06 IST
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India have approached three other leading teams in the World Cup Super Sixes to join a bid to switch the second semi-final from a day-nighter into a day game.

A source close to the India team said they fear the toss could have a huge influence on the result of the Durban match on March 20.

Board of Control for Cricket in India president Jagmohan Dalmiya, however, told Reuters in Delhi by phone that it was an unofficial approach and would not be taken further if it caused a furore.

"We have not made any official complaint. I have myself been involved in a World Cup and I know the problems involved in a last-minute change," he said.

"We have only spoken to them (other Super Six teams) unofficially and all we are saying is that if it is not an insurmountable problem... it would be nice if they changed it.

"We are not going to make an issue about it."

World Cup executive director Ali Bacher made it clear he would oppose any switch.

He added that statistics showed that the toss is not crucial for day-night matches in Durban, with games won in equal measure by sides batting first and second.

"You can't change it (the time of the match). Thousands of people are coming to South Africa for the semis and final and have booked their flights, while broadcasters around the world would not be supportive. They have already planned their programmes," he said.

"The time of the match was agreed and announced by the International Cricket Council way back in October 2001.

"And day-nighters are the most spectacular form of one-day cricket."

Seven World Cup matches have been staged as day-nighters in Durban and Cape Town. Five teams winning the toss went on to win the game, while Monday's match between South Africa and Sri Lanka ended in a tie.

Pakistan captain Waqar Younis called for the semi-final match to be switched to a day game earlier in the tournament after his side lost the toss and the match against England in a Cape Town day-nighter.

Pakistan, though, were knocked out of the tournament in the first round. Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand are the top sides in the last six along with India.

Australia coach John Buchanan, while unconvinced that sides batting second are at a disadvantage in Durban, has said he wants to avoid the second semi-final because of the uncertainty over what influence the toss had on day-night results.

The first semi-final in Port Elizabeth on March 18 is a day match.

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Source: REUTERS
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