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 | |  Sunday, 31 March, 2002, 02:22 GMT 03:22 UK Rain washes out second day  Eden Park was a sorry sight on Easter Sunday Third Test, Auckland, day two (no play on Sunday): New Zealand 1st innings 151-5 v England Rain, varying in consistency from drizzle to heavy downpours, meant there was no play on the second day of the third Test between England and New Zealand. There is a much better forecast for the remainder of the match, but with so much play lost to the elements already the Test could peter out to a draw. Umpires Doug Cowie and Srinivas Venkataraghavan made only one serious inspection on Sunday - at 0200 BST (1pm local time) as the rain stopped for a moment. But when the heavens opened again the officials elected to call it a day - knowing that even if the sun came out it would take three hours to mop up the ground. Spot of rugby England's players appeared on the pitch early in the afternoon to toss a rugby ball about. And rugby was about the only sport that would have been appropriate.
The Union Flag hung at half mast at Eden Park in remembrance of the Queen Mother, who died at home in Windsor on Saturday. When play does finally recommence, presumably on Monday some time, England's players will wear black armbands as a mark of respect. Last week in Wellington, they were similarly attired following the death of team-mate Ben Hollioake. A minute's silence will precede Monday's cricket, which starts at 10am local time (Sunday 2300 BST). Day one of the match was also disrupted by bad weather, with New Zealand's batsmen restricted to just 54 overs of play before rain and bad light played a leading role. Draw OK for England The lack of cricket suits England, who carry a 1-0 series lead into this, the final Test, and would happily settle for a draw. In any case, England's wicket-keeper James Foster is nursing a sore left hand and they are arguably a seamer light. England took just five wickets in all on Saturday despite a brilliant new-ball spell from Andy Caddick who grabbed his 200th Test wicket in the process. New Zealand may have to declare overnight to force a result now, denying Chris Harris the chance of notching his maiden Test century. | |
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