SL’s World Cup chances look slim after washout

Ground staff sweep water off the covers as rain falls before the start of the second one-day international cricket match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Pic/AFP

Sri Lanka's hopes of securing automatic qualification for the World Cup took a major blow on Tuesday when heavy rain and gusting winds forced the second ODI against New Zealand to be abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Steady rain meant the covers stayed on all day at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, with organisers calling the match off at 16:30 local time (09:00 IST) with more showers forecast. As a result the two teams split the points which further damages Sri Lanka's hopes of automatically qualifying for the World Cup in India in October-November.

Also read: Bowlers keep Sri Lanka on top in 1st Test vs New Zealand

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