Mar 06 2009
New Zealand vs India Match abandoned due to rain
Incessant showers stopped a galloping India in their tracks in the second One-Day International against New Zealand, resulting in the abandonment of the game at the Westpac stadium on Friday.
India were rocking at 130 for one in 19 overs when rain disrupted the proceedings. After two restarts, the Indian’s surged to 188 for four from 28.4 overs when the skies opened yet again.
Three interruptions had reduced the 50-over game to a 34-over affair, frustrating the motley crowd, which hung on patiently for almost four hours before the umpires put them out of their anxiety.
The teams move to Christchurch for the third ODI with India leading the five-match series 1-0.
Virender Sehwag and Sachin, prudently playing second fiddle to his adventurous partner, put India in the driver’s seat with a quick-fire 76-run partnership for the first wicket.
Sehwag’s 31st half-century came off just 36 balls and was studded with nine fours and one shot over the fence.
Tendulkar, who produced his 91st half century in 424 matches, was dismissed by Daniel Vettori as he ventured to sweep the canny Kiwi captain.
Tendulkar’s innings was adorned with seven fours and a six. Yuvraj, seeking to step up the asking rate, lasted all but four deliveries, tickling Kyle Mills to Ross Taylor at slip.
The players of both teams, match officials and spectators observed a minute’s silence before the start of play, in recognition of the attack on the Sri Lankan team in Pakistan this week. Players and officials also wore black armbands during the game.
