Cricket: Soggy weather denies victory

By MARK GEENTY in Birmingham

New Zealand had more cause to rue the late onset of England's fickle summer as they squelched away from Edgbaston with a likely victory denied yesterday.

Having experienced a complete washout against England in Manchester last week, the tourists were within reach of five Natwest Series points over West Indies before the Birmingham rain had the final say.

Chasing an adjusted Duckworth-Lewis target of 140 off 21 overs, New Zealand were cruising at 97 for two in the 14th over, needing 43 more off 44 balls, when rain blew in for the umpteenth time to force an early end.

It gave New Zealand a temporary lead in the series despite not having completed a match, and probably still needing three wins out of four to guarantee a finals berth, starting with tomorrow's clash with England in Durham.

Captain Stephen Fleming, who has experienced his share of frustration in the 0-3 test series loss, was happy enough with their first outing in one-day colours as they chased their 10th win from 12 matches under John Bracewell's coaching.

"There's nothing you can do but there's one team that would have won it," Fleming said. "We had the better of the day but we were always racing against the weather. We are disappointed not to get the points because we got pretty close.

"We've looked forward to this part of the tour for some time, especially when the other facet of the tour doesn't go well. We worked very hard on what we want to do and put most of that into action here under pressure."

Fleming's opposite number, Brian Lara, who savaged Jacob Oram with some cheeky innovation to take 23 runs off the 20th over, agreed West Indies were lucky.

"New Zealand seemed well set for the win. All in all, maybe the rain saved us," Lara said.

New Zealand were given an early bonus in their run chase when Ravi Rampaul's first over of the innings lasted 12 balls and went for 18 runs, including a huge six over fine leg from Fleming.

Paceman Jermaine Lawson, who had to remodel his action after being reported for throwing against Australia last year, then removed Fleming and Nathan Astle cheaply.

But Hamish Marshall and Scott Styris added 47 off 41 balls unbroken with sharp running and shabby West Indies fielding, and with Chris Cairns and Oram to follow it seemed all over.

Earlier, play was delayed nearly four hours before New Zealand won a crucial toss on a green seamer.

Both sets of bowlers struggled to control the movement and sent down 24 wides between them.

Daryl Tuffey conceded 10 off five overs, beat the bat numerous times but suffered a minor thigh strain and his condition will be reassessed before the Durham match.

Styris struck with two wickets in four balls before Lara blasted 36 off 22, five of his six boundaries backward of square walking across his stumps, before Cairns fooled him with a slower ball and they ended 122 for four off 21 overs.

After having one for five off two overs and seaming the ball everywhere, Oram's last two went for 14 and 23, including a six over backward point.

- NZPA