The duration of a Test match is usually determined by the state of play inthe first two days

Andy Jalil02-Jun-2000The duration of a Test match is usually determined by the state of play inthe first two days. At Trent Bridge, however, the progress of the match seemstotally dependent on the elements.Although, in the end, only an hour’s playing time was lost yesterday with theextra hour being taken in sunshine towards the end of the day, the second daysaw no action at all.Having made several ground inspections, the umpires finally decided around5.30pm, that no play was possible, the outfield being particularly wet. It isan interesting statistic that this is the tenth time that an entire day’splay has been lost on this ground and it’s the first time since August 1967.Some may think that in view of Zimbabwe’s performance on this tour generallyand after the one-sided show at Lord’s, the inclement weather is beingmerciful to them. Not even the most optimistic of their supporters would beentertaining serious thoughts of Zimbabwe being able to lift their gamesufficiently to come anywhere near to levelling this two-match series.Even allowing for the perversity of cricket, it cannot be said that with anymajor disruption to play caused by the weather over the next three days, thetourists could get away with a draw. Not that that will do any good to anyone- least of all the spectators who have suffered enough today under theirumbrellas – apart from the fact that for Zimbabwe, a series result of oneloss and one draw would look better in the record books than two losses.For England though, it would break a welcome momentum gained lately. It woulddeprive them of the opportunity of forcing a third successive Test victoryafter the contrived result at Centurion Park against South Africa and theiroverwhelming victory at Lord’s last week.It would, consequently, also be uplifting, putting them in an excellent frameof mind, before the second and far more demanding series of this summer.Already, in the course of this series and this Test in particular, Englandhave been able to focus atleast in one area that has given some cause forconcern. The opening batting partnership between Michael Atherton and MarkRamprakash yesterday, albeit against bowling which lacked the penetration ofthe kind they are likely to face for the rest of the summer, was a foundationthat England’s middle order men could work on.It remains to be seen, when the match resumes tomorrow weather permitting, ifthe remaining batsmen ( the dismissed Hussain and Hick apart ) can build adaunting enough total for Zimbabwe to face and remain under pressure.