Tri-series: South Africa-India match abandoned due to rain

The fifth match of the in the Tri-series between South Africa, India and West Indies was abandoned due to rain. Only two overs of play was possible in the game after India won the toss and opted to bat against the hosts South Africa at Buffalo Park in East London on Saturday.



This was India’s third match in the tournament and having won both their previous fixtures they have already made it to the final that’s scheduled to be played on February 2 at the same ground. 



Even though they lost their first game against India, South Africa have beaten West Indies twice in the group stages and will face India in the final. 



Despite rain around, Harmanpreet Kaur opted to bat first in the night game and India made one change to the side that beat West Indies by 56 runs. Pace bowling allrounder Pooja Vastrakar made a comeback to the side with Amanjot Kaur making way for her. 



For South Africa, Shabnim Ismail opened the bowling on her return to the side with Masabata Klaas missing out. India chose to open with Jemimah Rodrigues in place of Yastika Bhatia. The right hander opened her account with a trademark boundary through covers after Smriti Mandhana played out a maiden against Ismail.



Even as Nonkululeko Mlaba was about to complete her second over, heavy rain started to fall and the umpires decided to take the players off the field. India were four for no loss from two overs at this stage.



After waiting for more than an hour for the rain to relent, the match was eventually called off. India will face West Indies in the final group fixture of the tournament on January 30. West Indies are yet to win a match in the series and will look to get a consolation win ahead of the T20 World Cup 2023.