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This is an archive article published on October 5, 2005

Dome full of surprises

When the World XI plays the Aussies, every aspect will be interesting: the pitch, the umpires, the stars and who among the star will carry t...

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When the World XI plays the Aussies, every aspect will be interesting: the pitch, the umpires, the stars and who among the star will carry the drinks or field at extra-cover.

Problems for coach Wright
Who’ll take the new ball?
Any two from Pollock, Akhtar, Flintoff or Kallis can do the honours. But none of them are regular new ball bowlers, they usually bowl first change. Pollock isn’t fast enough, Akhtar can be erratic, Flintoff and Kallis are more effective when the restrictions are lifted.

Field placements
This is a tricky one. Dravid, Lara and Kallis have the skills and the stature to stand in the slips so it will be tough for Pollock to decide who does. Odds on favourite is Kallis.

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Who carries the drinks?
Flintoff did the honours in the practice game against Victoria. Can Wright afford to use Flintoff as a water boy for the real game? Odds on favourite is Daniel Vettori, next choice Shahid Afridi.

GROWING GRASS IN THE IGLOO:

Pitch maintenance at Telstra Dome is as complicated as NASA’s space mission. Fading winter, the roof and months of pounding by Aussie Rules rugby players have taken their toll on the 22 yards. So the Kiwi pitch experts put an igloo-like structure, 27m long and 3.5m wide, over the pitch. It has 15 radiant heaters, 18 fluorescent grow lights, an extraction fan, irrigation system and a ‘fogger’ to reduce the temperature when required.

HOWZZAT? WAIT WHERE’S MY WALKIE TALKIE?

Umpires can seek the help of the third eye in decisions involving nicks, the line and the height of the ball in case of lbws and even adjudicate no-balls. And also to count the eleven men on the field, if the need be.

THE ODDS:

The World XI have been cut to 8/11 by bet365 to beat Australia. Perhaps injuries to Shaun Tait and Brad Hogg have been a factor in the Australians drifting from 9/10.

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