NZ-Ind second ODI rained out

Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag made half centuries before rain washed out the second one-day international between India and New Zealand on Friday.

Tendulkar scored 61 from 69 balls and Sehwag 54 from 36 balls as India reached 188-4 in 28.4 overs, batting after winning the toss.

Showers chased players from the field three times, shortening the match on each occasion, before developing into steady rain and preventing further play.

India has a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The third match is scheduled for Christchurch on Sunday.

Sehwag blasted his way to his 35th half century in one-day internationals, scoring 50 of India's first 65 runs while Tendulkar had scored only 13.

Sehwag hit nine fours and a six before he was given out caught by wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan, making his one-day international debut, from the bowling of Ian Butler.

Umpire Evan Watkin judged the ball had taken the inside edge of Sehwag's bat before carrying to the keeper, but replays indicated the delivery had flicked the pad. Sehwag left the field with obvious reluctance.

Tendulkar carried on to his 91st half century in limited-overs internationals. His 50 included one six, six fours and 24 runs from singles as he regularly fed the strike to Sehwag, who used a runner in the last part of his innings because of a calf injury.

India was 130-1 when rain first interrupted the match, keeping the players from the field for 65 minutes. When they returned only 22 minutes play was possible before a further shower but in that time New Zealand bowled five overs and claimed two wickets for 21 runs.

Tendulkar fell lbw to New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori and Yuvraj Singh was caught by Ross Taylor off Kyle Mills without scoring.

India advanced its score quickly in the brief moment of action before the rain set in. Captain M.S. Dhoni was left 23 not out and Suresh Raina was not out 13.

Gautam Gambhir (30) was the last man out, caught by Grant Elliott off Iain O'Brien.

Test players practice with domestic sides

Meanwhile, Test batsman Rahul Dravid scored 102 from 164 balls batting for Canterbury province in New Zealand's domestic first-class competition Friday.

Six India players were loaned to New Zealand provinces to get match practice before the first Test against New Zealand at Hamilton on March 18.

V.V.S. Laxman made 20 batting for Otago while teammate Lakshmipathy Balaji took 1-39 from 15 overs, opening the bowling for Wellington in the same match.

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra had figures of 0-101 from 28 overs bowling for Central Districts against Canterbury.