SOUTHAMPTON, England, CMC:
AN UNUSUALLY severe weather system is set to ruin the plans of both West Indies and New Zealand teams in today's final preliminary match of the NatWest Series.
With the Caribbean side's seven-wicket triumph over England in a high-scoring duel on Tuesday at Lord's assuring them of a date with the Black Caps in the final on Saturday, the scheduled encounter at the new Rose Bowl ground is being seen as the ideal opportunity to fine-tune preparations.
Should the weather forecasters get it right, however, there will be little chance of any play, as a depression packing fierce winds and torrential rain started sweeping across England late yesterday and was expected to linger over the southern part of the country for another 24 hours.
The system is likely to dissipate by the weekend, although there is no guarantee that it will not also affect the final and force the match into the scheduled reserve day on Sunday.
In the event that there is enough available playing time to allow for a minimum of 20 overs-a-side, West Indies are unlikely to indulge in any more experimentation ahead of the final.
Riding another wave of optimism after successfully chasing a target of 286 two days earlier, they can ill afford to lose that momentum against a New Zealand team that remains unbeaten and has improved with every match played in the three-nation tournament.
For Brian Lara's squad, the confidence of some of the back-up bowlers would have been shaken by the thrashing they endured from England's two Andrews - Flintoff and Strauss - and they would relish the chance of a decent spell against the same opponents they will be meeting in the final.
BATTLE PLANS
West Indies' two Dwaynes Bravo and Smith who will be expected to deliver another 20 overs on Saturday, were plundered for a combined 151 runs two days ago.
The assault on them would not have gone unnoticed by New Zealand's regimental coach John Bracewell, nor captain Stephen Fleming, and keeping them deflated with similar all-out attacking tactics may well be part of the favourites' battle plans.
Yet, for all of the speculation, the weather could have the final say, leaving everyone to hope that it passes by in time to allow for the final to be played in the same glorious conditions enjoyed on Tuesday.
