Match abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain (no toss)
Well, this was coming. it rained and rained since morning and there wasn't a remote chance of getting the ground ready by 7:02 pm. The umpires have pulled the trigger and the 2nd ODI has been abandoned. So no cricket today, but we'll be back on the 31st for the 3rd and final ODI in Hamilton. The two teams share 5 WSL points which further recedes Sri Lanka's chances of automatic qualification to the #CWC23. See you in Hamilton where the forecast is a lot more promising. Do join us for all the action. For now, cheers and bye..
16:20 Local Time, 03:20 GMT, 08:50 IST: It's still raining in Christchurch, but the umpires will inspect things at 4:25 pm. They could well decide if it's worth the wait for another couple of hours.
15:10 Local Time, 02:10 GMT, 07:40 IST: Rain is still falling at the Hagley Oval. The latest the game can start, a 20-over match, is at 7:02 pm. Safe to say we've started losing overs.
Henry Shipley - It was a funny game (in Auckland), have short memory of it, reflected on it and time trio get ready for the next game. It was a tough series against India, came up against quality players. It was much better at home, favourable conditions did help me. The crowd got behind us well in Eden Park. We're pretty relaxed, following the scores in the Ford Trophy final, had lunch and hopefully the rail will clear and we'll have a match. The atmosphere is excellent and we've gelled pretty well. Domestic cricket has been strong in New Zealand over the past few years, that helps you to take that confidence going into the international scene.
We have live pictures and it ain't looking great. It's still raining heavily, plenty of water on the pitch as a couple of groundstaff try and remove the water from the covers. There is plenty of it and it doesn't look good. Can also see some puddles having already been formed on the outfield. We could be in for a massive delay. It's cold, it's damp and we could be lucky to even get a ball bowled today.
As expected the rain has arrived and the toss has been delayed. That's bad news.
13:21 Local Time, 00:21 GMT, 05:51 IST: New Zealand demolished Sri Lanka in the 1st ODI as the visitors folded for just 76 chasing 275. Henry Shipley impressed with a fifer as Sri Lanka had no answers to the moving ball. It leaves them in a must-win situation as we head to today's game. Hello and a warm welcome to the 2nd ODI being played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. There is rain forecast in the morning and afternoon, let's hope it stays away. Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips have headed to the IPL, so won't be a part of today's game. How will New Zealand line up? Toss and teams shortly, stay tuned...
Squads:
New Zealand Squad: Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w/c), Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Blair Tickner, Mark Chapman, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell, Ben Lister
Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kusal Mendis(w), Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka(c), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Pramod Madushan, Sahan Arachchige, Dunith Wellalage