After another day of frustration with Day 4 of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and New Zealand being completely washed out, rain gods seem to be in a kinder mood on Tuesday. While there could be minor interruptions, rain is largely expected to stay away on Day 5, allowing for play to take place. According to the AccuWeather website, it is to remain cloudy for much of the day with light showers expected in the afternoon. Post 5 pm (local time), the weather in Southampton is expected to be clear.
After a washout on Day 1, the fourth day of the WTC final witnessed rain once again playing spoilsport. Light showers throughout the day meant that play was called off without a ball being bowled.
Overnight and early morning rain meant the pitch and square at The Ageas Bowl remained fully covered when the match should have resumed at 10:30 am local time (0930 GMT). Play was finally abandoned for the day at 3:00 pm (1400 GMT).
An absorbing day of high-quality cricket on Sunday, cut short by bad light despite the use of the floodlights, ended with New Zealand 101-2 in reply to India's first innings 217 -- a deficit of 116 runs.
New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson took an impressive 5-31 in 22 overs -- the towering paceman's fifth five-wicket haul in just eight career Tests.
Blackcaps opener Devon Conway fell for 54 two balls before the close.
India, as New Zealand had done after winning the toss, bowled well in helpful conditions with fast bowler Ishant Sharma having figures of 1-19 in 12 overs at Sunday's close and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin 1-20 in 12.
This match, the culmination of the inaugural World Test Championship that has spanned two years of series between the leading Test nations, is worth $1.6 million to the winners and $800,000 to the runners-up.
(With AFP inputs)