Rain plays spoilsport, washes out second ODI

Joseph Hoover

Wellington, Mar 6 (PTI) Incessant showers stopped a
galloping India in their tracks in the second cricket one-day
international against New Zealand, resulting in the
abandonment of the game at the Westpac stadium here Friday.

India were rocking at 130 for one in 19 overs when rain
disrupted the proceedings. After two restarts, the tourists
had surged to 188 for four from 28.4 overs when the skies
opened yet again.

Umpires – Rudi Koertzen and Ewan Watkin, abandoned play
at 8.15 pm (local time). 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 (54) and Sachin Tendulkar (61), 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.

The hapless Kiwis were smacked all over in the first 12
overs as Sehwag, despite being hampered by a cramped leg
muscle, spanked their attack with gay abandon.

Sehwag's 31st half-century came off just 36 balls and was
studded with nine fours and one shot over the fence.

Sehwag's fall, albeit to a seemingly dubious caught
behind decision by umpire Watkin, did not stutter India's
run-rate, as Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir (30) kept the
scoreboard ticking rapidly, before another spell of light rain
returned the players to the pavilion.

The numbing 65-minute break seemed had its effect on the
Indian camp as they lost Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh in six
balls.

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.

Even as Gambhir and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni set
about repairing the damage, another spell of rain stalled
play, reducing an already reduced number of overs from 44
(after the first break) to 34.

Dhoni remained unbeaten with 23 (19 balls) while Raina,
who despite his built, hits the ball as powerfully as a Yuvraj
and Sehwag, made 13 not out.

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. PTI JH