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SYDNEY - The Sydney rain came to New Zealand's aid when they needed it most, leaving cricket's Chappell-Hadlee Trophy still up for grabs in Hobart on Thursday.
Just six overs were possible in today's second match before a spectacular thunderstorm hit the Sydney Cricket Ground, enough time for the hosts to maintain their series dominance as the tourists staggered to 30 for three.
The rain fell continuously and play was finally abandoned at 9.05pm (NZT).
It meant New Zealand, who were comfortably beaten by seven wickets in Adelaide and under severe pressure here, can retain the trophy they won 3-0 last February if they can conjure a big turnaround at Bellerive Oval.
There was enough time for a few more psychological blows to be inflicted in the half-hour of play today, with New Zealand's decision to bat first and the axing of Mathew Sinclair both points for debate.
Under leaden skies, with the start delayed 45 minutes to 5pm (NZT), captain Daniel Vettori and coach John Bracewell assessed the pitch as dry and likely to assist slow bowlers later on.
Hence their decision to include spinner Jeetan Patel, axe paceman Mark Gillespie after his 72-run spell in Adelaide, and boldly send their openers out against a fired up Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken.
Lou Vincent, one of the stars of last summer's tri-series, retained his place after recent scores of six, nine, 18 (all in South Africa), nought in the Twenty20 match in Perth and five in Adelaide.
With Brendon McCullum still sore after straining a thigh during his innings of 96 in Adelaide, he played as a batsman only and Gareth Hopkins was recalled to take the gloves for his seventh one-day international.
It meant one of either Vincent or Sinclair had to go, and Sinclair paid the price for his innings two off 10 balls in Adelaide.
He could feel hard done by, having scored an unbeaten 32 off 23 balls and 73 off 78 in South Africa in the unfamiliar No 6 spot after being recalled mid-tour for Craig Cumming (broken cheekbone).
Vincent, battling to retain his place for the home series against Bangladesh and England, lasted just two balls from Lee today before driving at an outswinger and being caught at second slip by Ricky Ponting.
Next over Bracken removed Jamie How who was looking to cut, bailed out of the shot and edged to Matthew Hayden at first slip.
New Zealand were on the rack at 12 for three in Lee's second over when their big hope McCullum was fooled by a slower ball and drove a catch to mid-off.
Lee, bowling at a sharp 150km/h, had two for 12 off three overs, while Shaun Tait, who was told to stop "mouthing off" by McCullum in a pre-match interview, didn't even get a chance to charge in.
Scott Styris and Ross Taylor were just starting to launch a recovery mission, Styris cracking Bracken for consecutive fours through the off-side, before the weather intervened.
* AUSTRALIA V NZ SCOREBOARD
New Zealand
L Vincent c Ponting b Lee 0
B McCullum c Hogg b Lee 5
J How c Hayden b Bracken 4
S Styris not out 12
R Taylor not out 5
Extras (3w, 1nb) 4
Total (for 3 wkts, 6 overs) 30
Fall: 0 (Vincent), 7 (How), 12 (McCullum)
Bowling: B Lee 3-0-12-2 (1nb, 2w), N Bracken 3-0-18-1 (1w)
Result: match abandoned
Series: Australia lead 1-0 with one match remaining
- NZPA
