MUMBAI: Groundsmen at the Wankhede stadium here were seen spraying a chemical to reduce the effect of dew during the day-night cricket World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka Saturday.Two persons went around the park with sprayers to sprinkle the chemical APSA-80, commonly used in farming, three hours before the scheduled start of the game.
On sub-continental wickets, excessive dew in the evening often tilts the balance towards the team batting second in day-nighters. The dew freshens up the track and makes it difficult for the bowlers to grip the ball as it gets damp on the moist outfield.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) had used the chemical spray to reduce the impact of dew at Brabourne Stadium here during the 2006 Champions Trophy match between Pakistan and New Zealand.