Persistent rain has meant that play could not begin on time in the first MTN one-day international between South Africa and England at the Wanderers today. The umpires inspected the pitch at 3pm, and are scheduled to do so again at 5pm, when a decision on whether it will be possible to play a shortened version of the scheduled 50-over match.

The covers are on and ground staff and working to try to keep the area around the pitch as dry as possible. However, light rain is still falling, and it appears unlikely that there will be any play. The second one-day international will be played at Supersport Park on Sunday.

Other matches

Meanwhile, Opener Gautam Gambhir stroked his third century in as many matches and Sachin Tendulkar recorded his 43rd test hundred to guide India to a draw in the first test against Sri Lanka today. Left-hander Gambhir hit 114 and Tendulkar, who became the first player to reach 30 000 international runs, made 100 not out to take the home team to 412 for four on the final day.

Tendulkar, who holds the record for most runs and centuries in test and one-day cricket, shared a 66-run fourth wicket stand with Gambhir and an undefeated 137 for the next with Vangipurappu Laxman (51 not out) as India avoided a first home test defeat by Sri Lanka.

The hosts wiped out a 334-run first innings deficit and were 78 ahead when play ended as soon as Tendulkar reached his century. It was the seventh hundred of a high-scoring match. Sri Lanka's attack was weakened, with Dammika Prasad bowling just four overs on the final day due to a hamstring injury. Resuming on 190 for two, nightwatchman Amit Mishra (24) dug in for 11 overs to deny the visitors an early breakthrough.

The 28-year-old Gambhir, who scored second-innings centuries in both tests in New Zealand in March and April, batted with poise to lead India's fight to save the test. Gambhir, 74 overnight, reached his seventh test ton by flicking medium-pacer Angelo Mathews to the fine-leg boundary. The second game in the three-test series is in Kanpur starting on Tuesday. - Reuters/Sapa