Blackcaps v India: New Zealand claim one-day series victory over India after rain returns to wash out finale

The rain has returned to spoil the third one-day international between the Blackcaps and India at Christchurch, causing another washout and handing the hosts a 1-0 series victory.

New Zealand take the spoils by virtue of their seven-wicket win in the opening match of the series at Eden Park, with the second at Hamilton also falling victim to weather and declared a no result.

After winning the toss at Hagley Oval, the Blackcaps bowlers dismissed India for a modest 219 with 2.5 overs to spare.

New Zealand were seemingly on course for victory, leaving the pitch at 104/1 after 18 overs and needing just 116 more runs to chase down India's total.

They were an agonising two overs shy of the 20-overs required for an official match, meaning - despite NZ leading by 50 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis system - the match was deemed a no result.

Openers Devon Conway and Finn Allen combined for a measured partnership of 97 runs off 99 balls to set a sturdy foundation for the NZ chase.

Finn Allen on his way to 57.
Finn Allen on his way to 57. Photo credit: Photosport

Allen struck eight fours and a six in a composed innings of 57 off 54 balls to raise his fourth ODI half-century, before being caught at midwicket.

Soon after, the rain set in, leaving Conway unbeaten on 38 off 51 balls, while captain Kane Williamson was yet to score, facing just three deliveries.

The abandonment is a fitting way to close out a sodden tour for the Indians, with three of their six games - including the three-match Twenty20 series - ruined by rain. 

One of those was a rare DLS tie, meaning the tour only produced two clear results.

The Indian batters got off to a sluggish, but steady start, struggling to really gain any momentum, as the Blackcaps bowlers ensured they were regularly stunted by wickets.

Milne struck to remove openers Shikhar Dhawan (28) and Shubman Gill (13), then sent dangerman Suryakumar Yadav packing for just six.

When Devon Conway sprinted from the deep point boundary to make a superb diving catch to send anchor Shreya Iyer (49) to the pavilion off Lockie Ferguson, India were 5/121 and in a spot of bother.

Washington Sundar (51) played a crucial hand to right the ship for India, but quickly ran out of batting partners, as Daryl Mitchell and Tim Southee did the damage late.

Mitchell finished with a career-best 3/25 off seven overs and Southee 2/36 off 8.3, as the Indian tail-end crumbled.

Paceman Milne was the pick of the NZ bowlers with figures of 3/57 from his 10 overs.

Blackcaps batter Tom Latham was named player of the series for his magnificent unbeaten 145 in the first match at Auckland.

The Blackcaps now head to Pakistan to play two tests and three one-day internationals, with the first test at Karachi starting December 27.

India 219 (Sundar 51; Mitchell 3/25, Milne 3/57) New Zealand 104/1 in 18 overs (Allen 57, Conway 38*)

No result