Rain ruins fourth day

Another washout at Napier © Getty Images

The fourth day's play was abandoned even before the umpires could entertain any serious thoughts of it getting under way. Heavy overnight rains had soaked the outfield to an extent that there was no chance of ground-staff getting the field of play ready in time, even if the rain abated. Ian Howell and Mark Benson, the two umpires, proceeded to abandon the day, without a single ball being bowled. No play was possible on the third day either.

On the badly rain-hit first two days 78.1 overs were possible. Brian Lara sparkled with 83 while Runako Morton was 30 short of a maiden Test century on 70. Whether the rain that has soaked the whole of the Hawke's Bay region will stay away long enough for a window of play on the final day remains to be seen. The outlook, though, is not great.