Match abandoned without a ball being bowled
Anyway, what a sorry day to sip your favourite coffee. That''s it. I loved brining rain updates to you. Things that I live for. Until we meet next time, bye!
17:46 Local Time, 05:46 GMT, 11:16 IST: That's it. It has started to rain again and the game has been called off. The sad part is that the crowd had to suffer big time. They were not updated frequently and as a result, there were some boos when the umpires walked out to inspect for the final time. West Indies, South Africa and now New Zealand. Cricket infrastructure to deal against unfavourable weather needs a revamp. And it is up to the ICC to see how it is done. Either lay clear grounds for hosting an international match or let nature take its course and curse under breath. We did not have a single drop of rain since the scheduled start and this is what we have to deal with. Mind you Napier has had a dry spell for sometime now so there's no excuse that the ground could not take more water. Things need to improve and they need to improve soon. Plugin:commteam:L0$
18:05 Local Time, 05:05 GMT, 10:35 IST: Another inspection in about 24 minutes from now. The cut-off time for a 20-over game is 19:15 local
17:57 Local Time, 04:57 GMT, 10:27 IST: No, I did not go anywhere. No, not even a power nap. Just waiting for a word from the officials. Nothing is final as yet
17:25 Local Time, 04:25 GMT, 09:55 IST: Some of the reactions that are coming through on Twitter from fans are not pleasing. People want the players to get out there and play. But it is not that easy. We need to understand that players safety is paramount. No player wants to sit around and do nothing.
16:49 Local Time, 03:49 GMT, 09:19 IST: The umpires had a chat with the captains and both parties are concerned about a dodgy area on the field. Inspection saga is relentless. Another one scheduled for 17:30 local
16:19 Local Time, 03:19 GMT, 08:49 IST: Why is this not a toss update? This is what you must be wondering, right? I have no intention of withholding such an important information. It's just that we got to know that the conditions have not improved enough to get the action rolling. So we will have another inspection at 16:45 local. Also this means that the game will be curtailed down further from what we were supposed to get. In for some T20?
15:48 Local Time, 02:48 GMT, 08:18 IST: Here's the news. Start at 16:45 local. 37-over a side.
15:14 Local Time, 02:14 GMT, 07:44 IST: We will have another inspection at 15:45 local. Fingers crossed, then
The inspection is on. Let''s hope it is not squelching under the umpire''s feet. The players, in the meantime, are seen loosening up a bit
14:53 Local Time, 01:53 GMT, 07:23 IST: Covers are completely off. The stumps are in place. Positive signs, inspection is minutes away.
Umpires have had a look and they were seen talking to the captains just a while ago. Also the main covers have been removed. Another inspection will be done at 3 pm local, which is effectively one hour from now. Fill up your mug, fellas.
13:49 Local Time, 00:49 GMT, 06:19 IST: Good news, courtesy the official Twitter handle @Blackcaps, "The rain's stopped in Napier, but the toss & scheduled start have been delayed. Umpires currently out inspecting field."
Definitely in for a toss delay. The rain continues to fall and hence the waiting game continues. Covers on the pitch
13:10 Local Time, 00:10 GMT, 05:40 IST: We are learning that there is a bit of rain. Hopefully, the situation gets better as we close in on the start time
One cannot blame Josh Hazlewood for the lack of presence of mind. He had been there for a while but was yet to feel the ball on the bat. That's like being incognito in a world thriving on nerve-wrecking action. Both teams produced a quality act but the hosts came on top. New Zealand are one win away from regaining the Chappell-Hadlee trophy but will miss the services of an injured Martin Guptill. Australia might think of sneaking in Zampa. Toss and teams in a while...
13:02 Local Time, 00:02 GMT, 05:32 IST: Morning all. Cricket, like other worthy things in life, is about seizing moments. Marcus Stoinis's sledgehammering act had throttled New Zealand's hopes when Kane Williamson seized that moment in the previous game. Until then it had been difficult to push the Aussie out of the zone he was bivouacking in.
Teams:
Australia (From): Aaron Finch(c), Travis Head, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb(w), Glenn Maxwell, Sam Heazlett, Marcus Stoinis, James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Billy Stanlake, Adam Zampa
New Zealand (From): Tom Latham(w), Kane Williamson(c), Dean Brownlie, Ross Taylor, Neil Broom, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult, Tom Blundell, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry