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Calcutta: The ‘R’ factor is threatening to add to the excitement as the first phase of the World T20 2012 enters its climactic stage. For most of the first week of the competition, the weather Gods had been benign. Saturday, however, saw both matches being truncated due to heavy rains.
When Ireland go head to head against the West Indies on Monday, therefore, they will have one eye on the sky. The final Group B contest is a must-win game for William Porterfield’s side. A washout will spell instant elimination for the Irish, like the West Indies winless after losing to Australia, but well below Monday’s opponents on the net run rate.
Teams would rather lose on the field than lose out on run rate, which is why the Irish will be desperate for a game of any duration on Monday.
The West Indies may not fancy a reduced overs face-off of the sort Sri Lanka and South Africa were involved in on Sunday. That was a seven-over shootout, a veritable lottery if ever there is one.
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