CAPE TOWN: Rain washed out day three of the first Test between South Africa and India on Sunday, preventing any chance of play in the finely balanced opener to the three-game series between the top two ranked sides in world cricket.

South Africa were set to resume their second innings on 65 for two, a lead of 142 on what is a lively wicket offering plenty of assistance to the seamers. Hashim Amla (four) and nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada (two) are the not out batsmen who will now wait until Monday to resume their innings, with no rain forecast for the remainder of the game. The ground was almost covered with water due to the pouring rain, with no play possible at Newlands.

South Africa were bowled out for 286 in their first innings, before restricting India to 209 in reply.

The home side have confirmed that fast bowler Dale Steyn will miss the remainder of the Test, and possibly the series, with a heel injury, leaving them with three seamers with which to bowl India out in the second innings if they are to win the match.

Agencies