Australia vs India: Match Abandoned

A mid-match deluge has ensured that the match between Australia and India in Amstelveen was abandoned at the halfway mark.

Originally, the match was reduced to 32 overs per side following overnight and morning showers. Due to Holland's location below sea level, any rain can affect the field of play significantly.

The main early interest focused around the balance of the two line-ups, with the Australians boasting an embarrassment of riches in the pace department and the Indians struggling for 11 fit players.

Brett Lee returned from injury alongside Glenn McGrath and Michael Kasprowicz as Jason Gillespie was rested, while Ajit Agarkar, Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh were ruled out of the match for the Asia Cup runners-up.

Once the match did get underway, however, the Australian opening duo Matthew Hayden and Brad Haddin's lack of match practice was telling, as replacement wicket-keeper fell early and Hayden struggled to find form in making 29 from 49 deliveries.

Latshmipathy Balaji followed on from his good match against Pakistan by snaring Hayden and Ricky Ponting with clever pieces of bowling, the latter LBW for 26.

The middle order of Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds and Darren Lehmann failed to fire - all falling to spin bowling - as Australia continued to struggle through their innings. Anil Kumble came to the fore, finishing with 2/37 from his 7 overs and keeping the middle overs respectable for the Indians.

Michael Clarke's youthful exuberance, however, ensured they were never too far out of the contest as he clubbed 42 from just 28 deliveries before holding out against Balaji, brilliantly caught by Virender Sehwag on the long-on fence.

Sehwag, jumping and outstretching his right hand in mere hope, held onto the catch cleanly to symbolize an improved fielding effort by the Indians - Rohan Gavaskar also took an excellent catch to remove Lehmann.

Brad Hogg continued to show strong form with the bat, reaching 17 from 14 deliveries before rain intervened for yet another period. Brett Lee was unbeaten on 1.

For the Indians, Irfan Pathan again struggled alongside Ashish Nehra. Virender Sehwag provided competent nuisance value with his off breaks, while Kumble and Balaji did the damage.

The shower that stopped play soon turned deluge, ensuring that play was abandoned for the day and points were shared.

Final Scores:

Australia 7/175 (31.4/32 overs - M Clarke 42; L Balaji 3/20)

Match Abanodoned.

Posted by Andre