Cape Town: Intermittent rain Sunday came in the way of what promised to be an absorbing day of Test cricket, forcing a washout of the third day’s play in the series opener between India and South Africa here at the Newlands.
No play was possible in the morning or post-lunch sessions. Finally, around 3.30pm local time, close to the scheduled start time of post-tea session, the day was called off.
There will be 98 overs bowled on days four and five with bright sunshine predicted for the remainder of the game. Despite the loss of an entire day, a result is still very much possible in this match.
Play will start at the scheduled 10.30am local time. The last two sessions of the day will be extended by 15 minutes each, with a further 30 minute customary extension available at the end of the third session.
Heavy showers had been forecast for Sunday and they duly arrived early in the morning. It didn’t stop raining at all, instead picked up as the scheduled start time of play approached.
It did stop raining intermittently after lunch time. But then an hour later the rain returned with a vengeance.
Three pitch invasions by presumably drunk fans, skating and slipping on the wet outfield whilst being chased by security guards, were the other highlights of the day.
Currently South Africa are 142 runs ahead with eight second innings wickets intact.
Press trust of India
