Rain puts damper on opening day of first Test

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad:

The opening day of the first Test between West Indies and South Africa was rained out, with only 15 overs being bowled at the Queen's Park Oval here yesterday.

Just over an hour into the day's play, showers forced the players off the field with South Africa 45-1 after 15 overs, Tony de Zorzi unbeaten on 32 and Tristan Stubbs not out on two.

An early lunch was taken at 11:50 a.m. with the expectation to resume play at 12:30 p.m.

However, that was not to be, as two planned inspections of the ground by the umpires never occurred, as heavy showers ruined any possible chance of a restart in action.

In the end, play was called at 2:45 p.m., five minutes into the scheduled tea time.

Play is scheduled to begin half an hour earlier at 9:30 a.m. today.

Earlier, there were little fireworks in the opening hour as West Indies' bowlers restricted the visitors from getting off to a flying start.

South Africa defied the hosts early on, with de Zorzi and Aidan Markram steering them to 43-0 before Jason Holder made West Indies' only breakthrough when he had Markram clean bowled for just 9, undone by a delivery that seamed back and kept a tad low.

Both teams will be hoping for better weather on Thursday's second day, after 75 overs were lost on the opening day.

- CMC