MELBOURNE, Australia, 30 January 2004 — Zimbabwe’s hopes of breaking through for their first win in the triangular international one-day cricket series were dashed at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday when heavy rain forced play to be abandoned.

The Africans had yet to face a ball when rain started falling heavily after Australia had made 263 for nine off 50 overs.

Both teams were awarded three points, taking Australia to 31 points and Zimbabwe to six.

They now head to Perth where Australia will play India on Sunday.

Zimbabwe play their final game against India on Tuesday.

One-day specialist Michael Bevan had played a classic knock to lift Australia to 263, a tally which the Africans believed was achievable. Bevan’s 56 was his 46th half-century in one-day matches.

His style — to craft, rather than blast, an innings — was evident as he hit just three boundaries yet faced just 53 deliveries.

His input came at a useful time for Australia, which was 139 for four in the 27th over when he came to the crease.

Bevan was eventually run out in the 49th over from a brilliant throw from the deep from Andy Blignaut as the left-hander attempted two.

Zimbabwe bowled tightly and showed enthusiasm in the field, including three run-outs, as they set about the task of trying to earn their first win in the series and their first over Australia in more than 20 years.

Damien Martyn, who had been hopelessly out of form, opened the batting and smacked 42 runs off 40 deliveries before being given out to a hotly disputed lbw off the bowling of Zimbabwean skipper Heath Streak. The world champions raced to 97 for one from 16 overs, partly thanks to a 19-run over taken off Douglas Hondo which featured a four and a six by captain Ricky Ponting.

Hondo was later taken out of the attack after just four overs, which cost Zimbabwe 35 runs for the return off one wicket — that of opener Matthew Hayden for 23.

But following that batting outburst, Australia was tied down in the next 20 overs by spinners Ray Price and Grant Flower. Price returned figures of 1-38 off 10 overs while Flower finished with 0-42 from nine overs.

Australia mustered just 69 runs for the loss of three wickets during that period.

Tendulkar, Sehwag Available for ODI

In Perth, Master batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag will be available for India in the triangular international series one-day cricket match against Australia to be played here on Sunday.

Tendulkar, who has missed India’s last three matches with an ankle injury and Sehwag, who has had a shoulder strain, are both likely to play, team physiotherapist Andrew Leipus said yesterday.

India will play Australia at the Western Australian Cricket Association ground on Sunday then back up at the same venue against Zimbabwe for their final match on Tuesday.

They will use both matches as preparation for next month’s final series against Australia.“Sachin is coming along nicely and progressing with his rehab, he will be fine,” Leipus said.

Pakistan Eagerly Await Indian Cricket Team: Ambassador

In Karachi, Pakistan is eagerly awaiting India’s cricket team as the hype builds for the March-April series that carries hope for the revival of sporting ties, India’s ambassador to Pakistan said yesterday.

“The hype is building up in both India and Pakistan and the Indian team is eagerly awaited in Pakistan which is a very positive sign,” Menon told reporters in the southern port city of Karachi.

India is scheduled to play a side game, three Tests and five one-day games on the tour, their first in Pakistan after some 14 years. “It’s a positive sign that cricket is being revived and both the boards are working to sort out the details and a security team is arriving,” Menon said.

India is sending a three-member delegation to assess security for the tour after which a final itinerary would be announced.

“Cricket is one of the confidence building measures and can add to the peace process both countries have initiated, and as a keen follower of the game I keep my fingers crossed for exciting cricket,” said the 53-year-old diplomat.

Menon stressed the importance of sporting tours like the school cricket held in India last year.