IPL clash rained off

The clash between Mumbai and Rajasthan was called off despite the efforts of the ground staff

The Indian Premier League clash between the Mumbai Indians and the Rajasthan Royals was abandoned without a ball being bowled as persistent rain hit Durban.

Although the covers briefly came off an hour after the scheduled start, the rain began to fall again before the umpires had completed their inspection.

This was due to be the second game of the season for both teams, with Mumbai having beaten Chennai by 19 runs in their opener, while the Royals needed to bounce back after being bowled out for 58 by Bangalore in their opener.

The abandonment prevented two English all-rounders from going head-to-head, with Hampshire’s Dimitri Mascarenhas in the Rajasthan squad and Essex’s Graham Napier among the Mumbai ranks.