Rain once again had the final say over the start of play in Hamilton, delaying the toss in the third one-day international between India and New Zealand at Seddon Park on Tuesday. A severe thunderstorm alert for the city, heavy overnight rain and a saturated outfield combined to push the start back, continuing a series in which the weather has been as much a factor as either team.
The toss, originally scheduled for 7 am IST, was pushed back as ground staff worked between showers to prepare the playing surface. Officials later confirmed that no overs would be lost, with both sides retaining their full 50-over allocation once play began — a small mercy in a series already shortened twice by the weather.
India arrived in Hamilton with the series firmly in their grasp. The visitors lead 2-0 after winning both previous matches via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, in Auckland and then in Wellington, and a win on Tuesday would put them in an unassailable position with matches still to play.
The conditions, however, have made nothing straightforward. Both games so far have been low-scoring, bowler-friendly affairs, a long way from the batting feasts modern one-day cricket usually serves up. Barring Virat Kohli’s effort in Auckland, no batter has found life easy, and the bowlers — particularly India’s young pace attack — have thrived in the swing and seam on offer.
Seddon Park has not been a happy hunting ground for India historically. In eight one-day internationals at the venue against New Zealand, India have won only one, a record that underlines how much the hosts relish conditions here. New Zealand, beaten twice already, will see this as the game to keep the series alive.
There is added context to this match beyond the result. Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Anshul Kamboj are set to leave the one-day squad after this game to prepare for the two-match Test series that follows, giving the fixture a farewell feel for three of India’s key players. For the younger members of the squad, it is another chance to show they belong at this level.
The forecast offered little comfort, with further rain expected through the day and the prospect of more stoppages once play got under way. The third match in a row to be affected by the weather, it raised the possibility of another truncated contest — or, at worst, a washout.
For India, the equation is simple: win, and the series is theirs. For New Zealand, it is a matter of survival. But first, both teams must wait for Hamilton’s skies to clear.
