Persistent rain forces abandonment of Christchurch ODI

Unrelenting rain in Christchurch meant that the second ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka was washed out with out even the toss going down. While rain had been forecast for a lot of the day, there had nonetheless been hope of a shortened match getting underway in some unspecified time in the future.

But because the day wore on and the rain continued on the Hagley Oval, that prospect appeared much less and fewer possible. The cut-off time for a 20-over recreation, the minimal allowed for rain-curtailed ODI, had been marked for 7.02pm native time, however with the rains persisting, the umpires referred to as the sport off following the ultimate inspection at 4.25pm.

While a win will take them above West Indies and thus as much as eighth, Sri Lanka will hope that tenth-placed South Africa win at most one out of their two upcoming ODIs in opposition to Netherlands. That will depart South Africa caught at 88 factors, and permit Sri Lanka, who will end on 92 ought to they beat New Zealand, to scrape by to the World Cup.

However, New Zealand are set to finish the Super League as desk toppers regardless of the washout in Christchurch, and even when they lose to Sri Lanka within the third ODI in Hamilton. They have 165 factors for the time being – ten away from England, who’re second – however can have hoped that their fringe gamers get sufficient follow forward of the World Cup.