Cricket World Cup semifinal India vs New Zealand

New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal during the 2019 Cricket World Cup first semi-final between India and New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on July 9, 2019. (Photo by Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Cricket World Cup: New Zealand recover from horrid start before rain wreaks havoc

The first semifinal of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, between New Zealand and India has been interrupted by rain.

Cricket World Cup semifinal India vs New Zealand

New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal during the 2019 Cricket World Cup first semi-final between India and New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on July 9, 2019. (Photo by Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Half-centuries from captain Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor helped New Zealand recover from a slow start to crossing the 200-mark before the heavens opened during their 2019 Cricket World Cup semifinal clash against India on Tuesday.

The Black Caps were on 211 for the loss of five wickets one ball into the 46th over when the players were hauled off the field, with rain interrupting play.

This was after Williamson won the toss and elected to bat, making just one change from their last outing, with fast bowler Lockie Ferguson coming in in place of fellow seamer Tim Southee.

India too made one switch, bringing in leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in place of Kuldeep Yadav.

It was the batting side who were quickly on the back foot as Martin Guptill’s disappointing tournament continued with another low score – this time caught by India skipper Virat Kohli off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah after adding just one run in 14 balls faced.

This meant another early introduction into the middle for Williamson, who steered his side past the first powerplay, before losing his partner at the other end, Henry Nicholls, who was cleaned bowled by Ravindra Jadeja for 28.

The Kiwi captain was joined by another experienced campaigner in Taylor, and the pair put on 65 together before Chahal dealt their hopes of a competitive total a big blow by removing the latter for a patient 67.

It was up to Taylor to lead the recovery, but the former skipper’s partners were not sticking around as big-hitting duo Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme posted brief cameos before being sent back to the hut, leaving New Zealand in danger of not setting a competitive target at 200 for five inside the 45th over.

Taylor and new partner Tom Latham could only add 11 runs to the total before rain interrupted play.

Rain also wreaked havoc in the last match between the two sides, as there was no play possible when they met at Trent Bridge in the round-robin stage.

India vs New Zealand teams

India: 1 KL Rahul, 2 Rohit Sharma, 3 Virat Kohli (capt), 4 Rishabh Pant, 5 MS Dhoni (wk), 6 Dinesh Karthik, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Ravindra Jadeja, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Yuzvendra Chahal, 11 Jasprit Bumrah.

New Zealand: 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Henry Nicholls, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 James Neesham, 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Matt Henry, 10 Lockie Ferguson, 11 Trent Boult.