Rain rules

India8217;s hopes of getting crucial match practice ahead of the Boxing Day Test against Australia were washed out as rain did not allow a single delivery to be bowled on the final day of their warm-up match against Victoria, which ended in a draw here today.

The three-day game ended with India on 133 for four in the 48 overs that could be bowled at the Junction Oval. Only two and a half hours of play was possible on the first day of the tour match and just 10 overs could be completed on the second day before overnight rain and damp conditions ruled out any play on the final day.

The gloom outside restricted the Indians mostly to indoor nets and some players have expressed concern about the lack of practice before the four-match series against the world champions starting December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The drawn match leaves Indian bowlers without any practice ahead of the series opener.