
Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid stare intently at the pitch, Sri Lanka v India, 1st ODI, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, August 18, 2006© AFP

Groundstaff do what they can to improve the dire conditions at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Sri Lanka v India, 1st ODI, Colombo, August 18, 2006© ESPNcricinfo Ltd

The playing surface at the Sinhalese Sports Club pitch is covered with plastic sheeting after rain showers have delayed the start of play on the first day © AFP