Cricket World Cup 2019: India vs New Zealand semi-final postponed due to rain

Rain stopped play towards the end of New Zealand's innings and continued throughout the afternoon

The first semi-final of the Cricket World Cup has been postponed due to rain with New Zealand at 211-5.

The Kiwis will resume play tomorrow – weather permitting – and will have 3.5 overs to add to their score.

Rain stopped play at just after 2pm, but it was not until four hours and 21 minutes later that the umpires chose to call the game off for the day.

There was hope that the weather would improve and that a reduced India innings would be possible. But a persistent light drizzle meant the covers could not be permanently removed.

If rain interrupts play again tomorrow, Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) may be used to give India a revised target. And if no play is possible India will go through to the final, having finished higher than New Zealand in the group stage.

New Zealand will continue with Ross Taylor on 67 not out after he, alongside the ever impressive Kane Williamson, salvaged a dismal start to the innings.

The Kiwis were 2-1 after four overs and looked incapable of collecting runs. But they fought back well, and remain in contention to reach Sunday’s final against either England or Australia.