Cairns will quit Test cricket at the end of the England series

New Zealand were frustrated by rain for a second day on their opening first-class game of the tour of England.

Play was abandoned for a second time without a single ball being bowled of their three-day fixture against a British Universities XI in Cambridge.

The sides will try again for a final time on Wednesday although the weather forecast is not good.

New Zealand have had to settle for indoor practice at the newly-opened �1m Fenner's Indoor Cricket School.

Chris Cairns was due to lead the Kiwis with regular skipper Stephen Fleming opting to miss the match.

Fleming made 75 as they won a one-day game against a Professional Cricketers Association Masters XI on Sunday.

The Kiwis totalled 275-5 and restricted their opponents to 247-6 despite 113 not out by former West Indies skipper Jimmy Adams.

Fleming bruised a hand during the game and seamer Kyle Mills suffered a back problem when he bent down to pick up sawdust for his run-up, but neither injury is serious.

This is going to be a great tour. I don't think there'll be any draws - both these teams either win easily or roll over! From Mr Kiwi Have your say on TMS

Providing the rain relents, Shane Bond, who is back in action after a lengthy lay-off because of a back injury, and Daryl Tuffey will share the new ball at Fenner's as they are likely to do in the Test series.

"It's a shame but the weather is something you factor in to your preparations," said team manager Lindsay Crocker.

"We'll just go to the gym and work off the stiffness. A few of the guys are a bit heavy-legged after playing on the damp ground yesterday."

Cairns, meanwhile, believes New Zealand have an excellent chance of repeating their 1999 Test series win over England.

"New Zealand cricket never gets the recognition it deserves, but I'm certain that's about to change.

"Often we've toured with players who are learning, but this trip is about the here and now.

"It's the first I've been on where most of the squad are match-winners," he said.