In stark contrast to that hue, the lush-green Oval outfield and the colourfully renovated stands present a striking picture. The moment you walk inside, you're sold to the idea of expecting a good game. The gloom surrounding the venue doesn't seem to matter.
To those who walk in here on Tuesday morning to watch the Champions Trophy match between India and West Indies, or those back in India who switch on their television sets in the afternoon, they could be excused for having an eye on the weather.
The Indian team, without any practice for the last two days, turned up on Monday morning for a nets session that lasted two-and-a-half hours. The stint included a light game of football, some warming up and some cricket skills. The West Indies arrived in the afternoon and did the same.
There seems to be a distinct advantage in having an early morning training session here. If on a match day the weather doesn't improve, the rest of the day could be how the morning was. Windy, cold and of course, dull. It perhaps also gives you a good idea of what to do if you win the toss. Over the last few days, the weather has improved as the day has progressed and batting second is an attractive proposition.
There's no need for a spinner in Tuesday's game, or so it appears if you look at the wicket and the conditions. The cold weather could prove tricky for the spinners who like to get a good grip on the ball. The track here too is hard and provides good bounce as was proved in the West Indies-Pakistan match. Also, at the Oval, swing is always a factor.
It'll be surprising if the West Indies opt for Sunil Narine. With Tino Best, Kemar Roach, Ravi Rampaul, Darren Bravo, Jason Holder and Darren Sammy at their disposal, they have plenty of choices and Marlon Samuels' part-time off-spin could prove handy too.
So, will India opt for both Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja? The team combination in Cardiff, against South Africa, worked well because the sun was out, India set a huge target and the seamers went for plenty. But with Oval traditionally being a low-scoring venue, you have to wait and watch for MS Dhoni's decision.
It looks unlikely that Dhoni will play more than three seamers, simply because he needs Jadeja to fill in the all-rounder's slot and Ashwin, because he trusts him to bowl accurately, regardless of the pitch. He does have an option in left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan and given the skipper's affinity to throw a surprise, you never know.
If the bowling combination is sorted, there's little else to worry about. India's batting — with Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan at the helm, and Dinesh Karthik and Dhoni to follow — looks in good touch. Perhaps in better touch than the maverick Caribbean power-hitters yet to explode in this typical English weather.
Don't be surprised if players miss a trick or two simply because they may have their hands tucked in their pockets!
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