England A under the weather

Cricket

England A's second "Test" match against Pakistan A, which starts today in Rawalpindi, is almost certain to begin late because of a wet square. Conditions are so poor that the game might not even get underway until tomorrow.

Yesterday's heavy rain seeped under the tarpaulin covering used at the KRL Ground and it has left a pitch with the consistency of wet plasticine, surrounded by muddy patches covering the rest of the square.

Reconstruction work at Rawalpindi's main stadium, to prepare it for the three World Cup matches to be staged in February and March, means that the second Test has had to be played on a ground belonging to the Civil Aviation Authorities.

A spongy, well grassed outfield - in addition to the pitch conditions - is sure to make run- scoring a difficult business during the next five days.

John Emburey, the England A manager, said: "The pitch is very wet and it will only have dried out a bit by tomorrow. I can't see the match beginning until the afternoon at the earliest - and winning the toss is going to be important. But we are 1-0 up in the series so obviously we don't want to start the game until conditions improve."

The A team management have named a 13-man squad, deciding that only the Warwickshire batsman Dominic Ostler and the Hampshire off-spinner Shaun Udal will definitely not be involved.

ENGLAND A SQUAD (for Second Test v Pakistan at Rawalpindi today): N V Knight, J E R Gallian, *N Hussain, A McGrath, J C Pooley, R C Irani, C White, K J Piper, I D K Salisbury, D W Headley, R D Stemp, T A Munton, E S H Giddins.