Cricket: NZ A on top in rain affected day

Day one of the first four-day match between New Zealand A and India A in Lincoln, Christchurch was rained off after just 36.4 overs today.

Bad light initially brought the match to a halt, before rain settled in and forced the rest of the day's play to be abandoned at 3.35pm.

India closed the day at 136-4, but will be disappointed with their position after a solid start to the innings.

Having lost the toss and been sent into bat, they didn't allow the New Zealand bowling attack to make early inroads.

Unkmukt Chand got things underway in style with a classy off-drive for four from the first delivery. He continued to look solid and formed a valuable partnership with captain Abhinav Mukund.

The pair put on 82 for the opening wicket, before Tarun Nethula broke through for New Zealand when he had Mukund trapped leg-before-wicket on 42.

Anustup Majumdar was next in, but went just five runs later when he was bowled by Sam Wells for four.

India were forced to rebuild and looked to be regaining control at 118-2, before Chand fell for 54. Having just brought up his half century the 19 year-old departed at the start of the 30th over when he was caught by Neil Broom off the bowling of Andy McKay.

With dark clouds looming New Zealand made one more breakthrough by capturing the wicket of Mandeep Singh for 20.

That strike by Brent Arnel meant India will resume tomorrow with Ambati Rayudu on nine and Ashok Menaria still on 0.

The wickets were shared among the New Zealand attack, but McKay was used the most and ended with figures of 1-38 from 12 overs.

Days two, three and four are now scheduled to begin at 10am in an effort to make up for today's lost overs.