Rain stops 3rd ODI, New Zealand win series vs India

Rain played spoil sport again as the 3rd ODI between Indian and New Zealand was called off.

When the rain arrived, New Zealand were at 104/1 in 18 overs.

Duckworth-Lewis calculations showed that they were ahead by 50 runs. But to constitute a full match, 20 overs were needed to be completed in the second innings.

As a result, New Zealand clinched the series 1-0.

In this tour, three out of six matches were washed out due to rain, and one ended in a tie because of rain.

Only two matches were played in full, one in T20Is and the other one being the ODI series opener.

India had won the T20I series by the same scoreline of 1-0.

Kiwis openers shine

Openers Allen and Conway started cautiously, adding only 34 in the first eight overs.

Allen got his fifty when he hit a flat-batted six over long-off off Washington Sundar.

Allen tried to reach out to a short ball but toe-ended the cut to cover, ending the 97-run opening partnership as he fell for 57, off Umran Malik.

Conway then pulled Arshdeep through deep mid-wicket before rain stopped play.

Earlier, all-rounder Washington Sundar slammed his maiden ODI fifty to carry India to a modest 219 in 47.3 overs.

He hit five fours and a six in a 64-ball knock.

If not for his fifty, India would have ended up at a much lower score.

On a pitch, where there was a lot of grass and lateral movement, and with overcast conditions, India’s innings never really got going.

Apart from him, Shreyas Iyer also played a handy knock of 49.

For the hosts, Daryl Mitchell being used as the fifth bowler was a master-stroke, picking 3/25 in his seven overs.

Adam Milne, coming in for spinner Michael Bracewell, got three wickets for 57 runs in his ten overs.

Tim Southee picked up two scalps.

Matt Henry, despite being wicketless, gave away just 29 runs in his ten overs.

Lucky streak continues for Williamson

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson made it a hat-trick of winning tosses and put India to bat first for the third time in the series.

On a pitch with a green tinge, Southee and Henry found enough movement to keep Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill guessing.

The Indian middle order also failed to deliver.

Rishabh Pant whacked two boundaries to raise hopes but miscued a pull off Mitchell.

Suryakumar Yadav edged off Milne to slip and when Iyer miscued his loft off Lockie Ferguson, India were in a real spot of bother.

It increased when Deepak Hooda fell while trying to take on a short ball, leaving India at 141/6.

Eventually India ended with 219 which was a below par score.

No result India 219 (Washington 51, Iyer 49, Mitchell 3-25, Milne 3-57) vs New Zealand 104 for 1 (Allen 57, Conway 38*, Malik 1-31)