The first MTN one-day international between South Africa and India at the Wanderers was officially called off at 6.30 pm on Sunday because of persistent rain.
About 30 000 people had braved the elements, hoping to see some action. It was overcast in the morning, but rain started falling just before the toss at two o’clock, and the covers were brought on.
The main covers came on and off several times during the afternoon. At six o’clock, the umpires came out to inspect the pitch, to cheers from the bedraggled crowd, and it was announced that there would be a further inspection 45 minutes later.
But while the crowds were still cheering, it started raining again, and the covers were brought back, and the spectators, who had remained remarkably cheerful throughout the gloomy and chilly afternoon, began dispersing.
Half an hour later, it was announced that the match had officially been called off.
The opening match had not been without its problems. Originally scheduled as a day match, the organisers had to change it to a day-night affair because of the 94.7 cycle race, which took place earlier in the day. Several major roads were closed for the cycle race, in which 28 000 cyclists took part, and access to the Wanderers would have been difficult.
The next match is a day-night match at Kingsmead in Durban on Wednesday afternoon. — Sapa