The marquee World Cup warm-up match between India and England was washed out today (September 30) in Guwahati, after rain swept away any chance of play at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.
Shortly before the first ball was scheduled to be dropped, a storm rolled in and quickly developed into a violent storm. The same intensity continued into the evening, and although grounds staff were able to quickly provide cover to the pitch, the match was abandoned after three and a half hours.
Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat first before the heavens opened. England had 13 of their 15 players available for the match, with Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes absent. The entire Indian team was able to participate in the match.
The day’s other warm-up match between Australia and Netherlands in Thiruvananthapuram was also called off due to rain. After the start of the match was postponed, the match was reduced to 23 overs for both teams.
Abandoned.#INDvENG #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/CoTWOhbcfT
– Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) 30. September 2023
England are scheduled to play their only remaining warm-up match before the start of the tournament against Bangladesh on Monday (October 2). They will play New Zealand in the first match of the tournament on Thursday (October 5). India will play the only remaining warm-up match against the Netherlands on Tuesday (October 3). India’s first match of the tournament will be against Australia on Sunday, October 8.
The rain also affected yesterday’s warm-up match, with New Zealand’s win over Pakistan being interrupted several times. The match between South Africa and Afghanistan, also played in Thiruvananthapuram, was called off after no ball was bowled. England played an ODI series in Bangladesh earlier this year, but several key members of the 2023 World Cup squad were unable to take part in that series, with the majority of the squad having participated in recent ODI appearances in Asian conditions. It means no.
To bet on the World Cup with our Match Centre Partners bet365 head here.