More rains in Kochi, match abandoned

KOCHI - The first match of the one-day cricket series between India and Australia was abandoned as heavy rains lashed this Kerala city Sunday morning.

Kochi first saw a downpour at 4 a.m., dampening the ground that was immediately covered with blue sheets. This prompted authorities to say that the match would be delayed by a couple of hours. But the rains began again at about 10 a.m., forcing the match to be abandoned.

While the ground was still covered early morning, the stadium galleries were packed with enthusiastic spectators.

After the first showers, senior cricket officials met here to decide the fate of the first match but rain played spoilsport once again.

“We are from Kottayam and we reached here around 4 a.m. and soon we were given entry to the stadium…This is sad,” said Ashok Kumar, one of the spectators who had to turn away disappointed.