That's it from our coverage from match number 29 in the Men's Super Smash competition! A rain-hit game ends without a result. Ninaad Dixit here signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Deepak Prakash and scorer Dushyant Madhukar Kumar. Stay tuned for more action from around the world.
10:59 AM IST, 6:29 PM Local Time: The match has been abandoned. The rain has intensified and there is no chance the game can continue from here. Even a 5-over chase is impossible to take place, such are the weather conditions.
Canterbury Kings skipper Cole McConchie won the toss and elected to bowl first under slightly overcast conditions. The new-ball bowlers made a strong start, removing Brett Hampton (4) and Joe Carter (1) cheaply inside the first three overs.
Katene Clarke and Robert OāDonnell then steadied the innings with a brisk 54-run stand for the third wicket before Clarke was dismissed for 38 by skipper McConchie. OāDonnell paired up with Xavier Bell and added over 50 runs at a brisk pace for the 4th wicket, but he fell 8 short of his fifty.
The score reached 124/4 in 14.2 overs when rain arrived and ruined the proceedings especially for Canterbury who needed a win to move into the finals. They now wait for tomorrow's contest between Auckland and Central Stags. If Central Stags win, they will be through and if Auckland wins, there will be a chance for Canterbury to move forward in the tournament.
OVER 15
Northern Brave
124/4
Scott Kuggeleijn
2(4)
Xavier Bell
32(22)
Michael Rae
1-16(2.2)
10:48 AM IST, 6:18 PM Local Time: It's still raining, and the entire square is under covers along with the bowling run-up area. The groundsmen are mopping water from the covers. There is another inspection scheduled for 11:00 AM IST (6:30 PM Local).
10:33 AM IST, 6:03 PM Local Time: There is an inspection scheduled for 10:45 AM IST (6:15 PM Local Time).
10:01 AM IST, 5:31 PM Local Time: The umpires have had enough and called for the covers as the rain has intensified. The groundsmen are quick to cover the pitch, and the players trudge off the field.
14.2 M Rae to S Kuggeleijn
0 Short of a length outside the off stump. Looks to pull but misses through to the keeper.
14.1 M Rae to S Kuggeleijn
0 Over the wicket. Back of a length outside the off stump. Kuggeleijn steps down the wicket to slash through the off side but misses.
The rain is getting heavier, and the groundsmen are all in readiness. The umpires are happy to continue the game as of now. Michael Rae comes back for his third over.