Cricket: Second day's play abandoned

Play has been abandoned on the second day of the third test between New Zealand and Pakistan in Hamilton.

The covers have been on the pitch at WestpacTrust Park all day with steady rain falling.

Umpires Harper and Dunne inspected the pitch after lunch and decided to abandon the day's play without a ball being bowled.

Black Caps' openers Matthew Bell and Mark Richardson should get the chance tomorrow to continue the good work done on the first day.

New Zealand finished the day with a 56 run-lead after the Kiwi bowlers sliced through Pakistan's batting lineup, needing just 26.5 overs to dismiss the tourists for a total of 104.

Bell (89) and Richardson (64) then took New Zealand through to 160 without loss, giving New Zealand a good chance of squaring the three-test series.

Pakistan won the first test by 299 runs and the second test was drawn.

Tomorrow's weather forecast is for clearing skies, with the possibility of more showers in the afternoon. Play is scheduled to start at 10 am.