/ 22 November 2005

Rain delays start of SA-India one-dayer

Heavy overnight rain and overcast skies delayed the start of the third one-day international between India and South Africa in Chennai on Tuesday.

The incessant rain over the past two days soaked the Chidambaram Stadium and left the wicket and most of the outfield still covered 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of 2.30pm local time.

Umpires Daryl Harper and Krishna Hariharan will make an inspection later in the day to decide if any play is possible, but more rain is forecast over the southern metropolis, caused by a depression in the Bay of Bengal.

The day-night game will be abandoned as a no-result if both sides are unable to bat a minimum of 20 overs.

There is no provision for a reserve day.

The rivals are locked 1-1 in the five-match series after South Africa won the first match in Hyderabad by five wickets and India drew level with a six-wicket win in Bangalore..

India’s success ended South Africa’s 20-match unbeaten streak just one victory short of Australia’s world record of 21 consecutive wins.

The remaining two matches in the series will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday and the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai next Monday. — Sapa-AFP