Play abandoned after incessant rain

3.4 overs India 11 for 0 (Dravid 9*, Tendulkar 2*) v Sri Lanka. Match abandoned.
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

The Unitech Cup finally got underway four days after it originally scheduled, but the action was all too brief - only 22 balls were bowled in the brief interlude when the Sinhalese Sports Club wasn't being battered by torrential downpours. The reserve day was washed out completely, and with the forecast suggesting more rain, prospects aren't bright for the second match either, which is scheduled to be played at the same venue tomorrow.

Wet weather in Colombo has wrecked havoc with the cricket over the entire week, but there was some hope when the skies brightened up yesterday morning, after overnight rain. The groundstaff worked tirelessly, and the better drainage facilities at the SSC meant that the umpires were satisfied with the conditions for play to start at 2.30pm. The captains walked out to toss in bright sunshine, the pitch was in good shape despite all the rain, and Rahul Dravid decided to bat after calling correctly.

Much of the attention was focused on Sachin Tendulkar, who was returning to international cricket after a five-month absence, but he only faced three deliveries out of 22, nudging a couple of singles. Dravid was in fine touch, creaming a superb back-foot cover-drive off Chaminda Vaas, while Lasith Malinga posed a problem or two with his pace and swing, but the action lasted only 20 minutes before the rains were back with a vengeance.

It was even worse on the reserve day, and a heavy downpour in the morning was the final straw. The attention now shifts to the second match, but forecasts suggest it could be more of the same over the next couple of days.