Rain Consumes India-NZ Match Too

Unrelenting showers lend little scope for even a truncated contest and forces abandonment

- K.C. Vijaya Kumar

India and New Zealand stepped in with an all-win record so far in the World Cup and when the teams left Trent Bridge, their unblemished stature remained intact. Rains lent an ironic twist and washed out the match without a single ball being bowled and the rivals, thanks to the no-result, shared the points at one each.

Earlier, a dull Thursday eased in with grim skies. A conch’s rumble was heard and the road adjoining the venue was milling with Indian fans. The drums got thumped, face-paint was dabbed, placards were held high and Indian restaurants did brisk business. Rotis and balti chicken warmed fine cutlery, poppadoms were crunched with a dash of mango chutney and all of them were washed down with frothing glasses of locally-brewed ale.