Bbc Cricket: Rain Stops New Zealand v Pakistan Super Eight in Colombo

cricket coverage from Colombo shows heavy rain forcing a delay to New Zealand's Super Eight clash with Pakistan, with significant puddles on the outfield covers and the stadium screen declaring a delayed start. The TV cameras cut to captains Mitch Santner and Salman Ali Agha shaking hands in the tunnel as play remained suspended.

Cricket: Rain Halts Play

Significant puddles have formed on the covers on the outfield, with big droplets visible on their surface; it is still coming down pretty heavily in Colombo. The stadium big screen is now saying "start of play delayed because of rain. " A message on the stadium's big screen asks: "Rain, rain, go away. " No news from Colombo at present — bar the fact it still appears to be raining.

Puddles and Big Droplets

The outfield remains fully covered in Colombo, so if play does resume it certainly will not be for a while. The coverage team said they will bring up any updates as and when they have them. The TV cameras suddenly cut to captains Mitch Santner and Salman Ali Agha shaking hands in the tunnel, with Santner giving a thumbs up to the few viewers that have clung on.

Captains Meet in Tunnel

New Zealand captain Mitch Santner, speaking at the toss before the delay, said: "We came here from Chennai. It could be a little bit different here. But we know what the conditions will be. We know what challenge Pakistan will bring. It should be entertaining. They've got some very good spinners. We know that. " The sequence of events saw the toss remarks followed by the weather interruption and then the cameras cutting to the captains in the tunnel.

Brook on Pakistan and The Hundred

Meanwhile, England captain Harry Brook spoke to the press before his side's clash with Sri Lanka tomorrow. He said it would be "a shame" if Pakistan players were excluded from playing in The Hundred this year. Pakistan players are not being considered by the four Indian-owned sides for the auction, which will take place on 11 and 12 March. Yorkshire batter Brook has already been signed by Indian-owned Sunrisers Leeds, previously known as Northern Superchargers, and will be the tournament's highest-paid player after receiving a fee of £465, 000.

Match context and next fixtures

These two teams have played a fair bit in the last two years, with the Black Caps holding the edge, ever so slightly. The broadcast team noted they will be back tomorrow for England's opening Super Eight fixture against Sri Lanka (09: 30 GMT) in Pallekele — hopefully with better weather. Viewers were also invited to try an interactive game: pick your international team and guess on which metric your side's players beat another player from around the world.

No further play was possible while the covers remained wet and the heavy rain continued in Colombo; the broadcast will monitor conditions and provide updates. unclear in the provided context