Prospects look bleak for play between New Zealand and India at the Cricket World Cup on Thursday night.
The clash between the tournament's only unbeaten teams is scheduled to start at 9:30pm (NZT) at Nottingham's Trent Bridge, but reporting from the venue, Newshub European correspondent Lloyd Burr confirms that doesn't look likely.
"It's persistent rain," he told The AM Show. "I wouldn't say it's pouring, but it's persistent.
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"Looking at the forecast, it's not looking like it will happen. Initially, they said the chance of rain for this game was around 90 percent - that's dropped down to 80 percent."
Burr says the average chance of rain during the match is 70 percent.
"My guess is this game won't happen and if the forecasters are wrong, the organisers might have to make it a 20/20 match."
If the match cannot produce a result, the Blackcaps and India will split the points and effectively retain their unbeaten records.
Taking any points off one of the tournament favourites might be a moral victory for New Zealand, but former NZ opening batsman (and AM Show sports presenter) Mark Richardson disagrees.
"With overhead conditions, where the ball may move, I'd give New Zealand favouritism over India and we may be missing out on two points," he says.
But after three wins from three outings - admittedly, against the three lowest-ranked teams at the event - another point would take the Blackcaps closer to clinching a semi-final spot.
"We said, at the start of the tournament, that luck would play a part, with the weather," reflects NZ batsman Ross Taylor.
"England's a beautiful place, but it's not famous for good weather. There's still a long way to go in this tournament and I'm sure there will be rained-out games that will affect us.
"There have been times when forecasts are wrong and hopefully tomorrow will be one of them."
This tournament has already seen three matches abandonned during the past week, strengthening the call for reserve days to be built into future World Cup schedules.
Newshub.
Join us at 9:30pm Thursday for live updates of the Blackcaps v India Cricket World Cup clash
