Saved by the rain

OK, this is one time when I've followed the rain instead of the cricket.

The occasion is the 1st test on India's tour of England. The match was tantalisingly poised on the 5th day with India needing to get 380 while England needed to knock off the 7 remaining Indian wickets.

Laxman & Dhoni soldiered on gamely but the same old Indian batting collapse ensued & just when the last wicket remained between England & victory .... guess what .... the rain intervened! I've never seen India getting saved by the rain (although I've seen others escape this way), so this was a first.

The final few moments as reported by cricinfo were thus ....

6.20 pm Well that's it. The match has been called off. England have been denied by the rain, India have been let off the hook, it's a draw. Lots of relieved faces in the Indian dressing-room.

6.18 pm The umpires have taken a look at the conditions, they walked out with their umbrellas so it's still raining. We've been informed that they've gone to have a chat with the two captains. You'll have more news as soon as I do ...

6.10 pm Still no change in the weather at Lord's. "It's raining," says Sid V. "Some wild celebrations in the Nursery End of the ground. A Monday crowd getting their money's worth." The Indian contingent no doubt.

5.55 pm Status quo at Lord's. If conditions don't improve, the match will be called off at 6.30 pm. That's in a little over 30 minutes.

The final scoreline:

England 298 & 282
India 201 & 282/9