New Zealand vs India 3rd ODI washed out: India keep 2-0 series lead
Rain stopped the third ODI in Hamilton without a ball bowled, so India can no longer lose the series. New Zealand must win both games in Tauranga to draw.
The third one-day international between New Zealand and India at Seddon Park in Hamilton was abandoned on Tuesday, 10 November, without a ball being bowled because of rain. India stay 2-0 up in the five-match series and can no longer lose it.
“New Zealand national cricket team” was the second-biggest Google search in Pakistan overnight, as fans checked whether the match would start.
Where does the series stand?
- 1st ODI: India won by five wickets in a rain-shortened chase.
- 2nd ODI: India won on the DLS method after rain stopped play again.
- 3rd ODI, Hamilton: abandoned, no result.
- 4th and 5th ODIs: Tauranga, on Friday 13 November and Sunday 15 November.
With two games left, India are sure of at least a drawn series. New Zealand have to win both matches in Tauranga just to share it 2-2.
Weather has followed this series
All three games have been hit by rain, which is not unusual for a New Zealand spring but has been hard on the home side. Cricinfo noted that the washout also ended New Zealand’s winning streak, since a no-result breaks a run of wins.
The home side also has a selection problem: some of their key players are due to move to the Test squad, so the team for the last two ODIs may be weaker on paper, according to reports.
Why Pakistani fans are following it
Pakistan’s own Test series against Sri Lanka is under way in Rawalpindi, but New Zealand and India are both teams Pakistan meets regularly in white-ball cricket, and New Zealand were already missing fast bowlers Blair Tickner and Lockie Ferguson, both injured before the series. Any weakness in either side is noted by Pakistani fans.
What’s next
The fourth ODI is in Tauranga on Friday, 13 November. The weather forecast for the Bay of Plenty will decide as much as either team’s batting.
