(ESPNCricinfo)- AB de Villiers’ 200th ODI went much the same way his 100th Test did, as Sunday’s tri-series fixture was the first to be washed out, with only an over possible.Just as November’s Bangalore Test involved long periods of watching and waiting, the first fixture in Barbados dragged on for over five hours, courtesy intermittent rain, denying South Africa an opportunity to qualify for the final. Instead, they shared points with Australia, who now face a must-win in their final league fixture against West Indies on Tuesday at the same venue.
The damp squib ended the possibility of what should have been the first battle of the quicks in this tournament. Both sides bolstered their seam stocks in anticipation of a surface with more pace and bounce. South Africa handed Morne Morkel his first opportunity on tour, at the expense of left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, while Australia included Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc in their XI. Australia also dispensed with a specialist spinner in Adam Zampa to bring back Glenn Maxwell.
Steven Smith decided to let his attack loose on a fresh surface, perhaps mindful of the impact rain could have on the chase. Starc bowled the first and only over of the match: an affair that included two wides, a half-volley that Quinton de Kock drove for four and two well-directed in-swingers. Heavy rain swept through the ground seconds after he finished the over.
The downpour lasted three hours and 20 minutes before abating. There was a possibility of play resuming when the covers were peeled off at 4.30pm local time. But an inspection an hour and 15 minutes later yielded no fruit as the match officials felt the outfield and pitch were too wet for the game to resume. The final call was made at 6.25pm.