Rain washes out first day of Christchurch Test

The opening day of the first Test between New Zealand and Pakistan in Christchurch was washed out on Thursday (November 17), inclement weather making even the toss not possible. Play was abandoned at 4pm local time, just after the scheduled tea adjournment with no sign of the sweeping showers easing.

Although intermittent showers are forecast on the second day, the weather is expected to be clear for the remaining three days. The umpires are hopeful of making up much of the lost time though, with play scheduled to commence 30 minutes early on each of the remaining four days.

Craig McMillan, the New Zealand coach, expected the rain to affect the nature of the surface and said the toss will be crucial. "I think with it [pitch] being under cover for today with the rain about, certainly that first session tomorrow is going to be very challenging," he said.

"You only have to look at the colour of the pitch to know that both sets of fast bowlers are licking their lips and are pretty excited by what's on offering.

"Hopefully, though, there is enough movement for a couple of days so that it's not so dependant that whoever wins the toss has quite a big advantage and it flattens out quick."

Rain had previously washed out Pakistan's three-day practice match in Nelson, leaving the side with not much preparation ahead of the two-match series. Misbah-ul-Haq and Co. are on a high coming into the game after defeating West Indies 2-1 in the Test series in United Arab Emirates last month.

Meanwhile, New Zealand is hoping for significant improvement after a 3-0 loss in the Test series against India in India.