Rain delays India-New Zealand match

A groundstaff member attends to the covers over the playing surface ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between India and New Zealand at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, central England, on 13 June 2019. Photo: AFP
A groundstaff member attends to the covers over the playing surface ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between India and New Zealand at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, central England, on 13 June 2019. Photo: AFP

Persistent rain in Nottingham delayed the start of the World Cup match between India and New Zealand on Thursday, with a fresh pitch inspection planned for 1:30 pm (1230 GMT).

The groundstaff at Trent Bridge were kept busy by the stop-start drizzle while the umpires carried out a number of inspections only for the rain to start again.

Tournament organisers have faced criticism over their planning of the event after two washouts and one no result, forcing teams to share one point each.

Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes questioned why reserve days were not factored in after his side's fixture against Sri Lanka in Bristol was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson said reserve days for every match would be "extremely complex to deliver".

New Zealand, who have won all three of their games, and two-time champions India, with two wins out of two, are the only two unbeaten teams in the tournament.