Poor wickets, confusion about rules and regulations -- how else can one explain South Africa needing to score 131 after restricting Northern Ireland to 89 for five in 38.1 overs when rain paid its daily visit -- and the lack of official recognition have robbed the discipline of the charm it was supposed to bring to the Games.

There have even been complaints about the format which allows for only the top team from each group to advance to the semi-finals. Many see the format as unfair to India and Australia, seen as two of the strongest sides in the tournament. Add to this rain and the possibility of a match against an obviously weak sidebeing rained off, the qualification for semi-final stage becomes a lottery.

Tendulkar, who gave the Australians the creeps, by hammering five centuries off them this year -- at home and in Sharjah -- will be under pressure. His 15 against Antigua and two against Canada have been a disappointment thus far.

Australians, led by Steve Waugh, are the pre-tournament favourites. Waugh is confident and said this morning, ``If we play India the way we are playing at the moment, we are going to be in with a good chance.''

He does not have his main bowlers, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. Still Waugh has Damien Fleming and Michael Kasparowicz, who have been in great form, as Australia use this tournament to prepare for the season ahead during which they go to Pakistan and then come back home for the Ashes before the World Cup next year.

The forecast for Tuesday indicates rain. But that is nothing unusual. ``I hope there is no rain,'' said manager K Srikkanth, especially because India lost a point after theiropening match against Antigua was abandoned because of rain.

Pakistan, who were denied a win against Scotland by rain, need full points against New Zealand to move to the semi-finals. The Kiwis defeated Kenya and Scotland outright for full four points, and Pakistan have only three after beating Kenya.

In Group C, South Africa have a marginally inferior run-rate (2.11 as against 2.26) as compared to Barbados, whom they meet in the last match. If rain affect their game, net run-rate will come into picture.

Thus far, the bowlers have a better say on wickets that best not spoken about. There has been a lot of seam in the mornings and in the afternoon, the spinners have had a field day.

`Rain doctors' to the rescue

KUALA LUMPUR: The rains, which have already affected the cricket competition, could make a mockery of it if matches between India and Australia or between Pakistan and New Zealand are rained off. But SUKOM, the organisers of the Games, have enlisted the help of Bomohs, who are thetraditional medicine men, sometimes also called ``Rain doctors''.

The Bomohs light a fire and pray to make the rains go away, and the organisers are planning to use some of them to ensure there is no rain in the stadia where important cricket and hockey matches and the closing ceremony is held.

When India played in the 1975 World Cup hockey, also held here, there was heavy rain and the organisers had employed Bomohs to keep the stadium clear of rain.