Rain mars second day's play

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Last updated on: March 10, 2006 18:57 IST

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Rain and bad light restricted play to just 14.3 overs on the second day of the second Test between England and India on Friday.

England had reached a shaky 200 for five when bad light stopped play one hour into the morning before rain ruled out any chance of further play.

Play was called off after the umpires made one final inspection in mild drizzle after tea.

- Sight Screen - Prem Panicker's blog

India leg-spinner Anil Kumble was two short of claiming 500 wickets, which would make him only the fifth bowler in Test history to achieve the milestone.

Captain Andrew Flintoff was 26 not out with wicketkeeper Geraint Jones on seven when play was halted.

After almost two-and-a-half hours of play was lost due to bad light on the opening day, poor weather interrupted again when England resumed on their overnight 163 for four.

Kumble struck early to bowl Paul Collingwood for 25 after play resumed 30 minutes early to make up for the time lost on day one.

The 35-year-old, who bowled a sharp spell in the morning, made one rip across Collingwood's defensive bat to clip the bails.

All-rounder Flintoff looked solid at the other end, stroking all but two runs in boundaries to keep his team's hopes alive for a big total after he won the toss and elected to bat.

He drove debutant paceman Munaf Patel straight down the ground and past cover for two fours before taking on Kumble, lofting him over mid-on then sweeping him for two more boundaries.

Kevin Pietersen struck a breezy 64 and added 81 runs for the third wicket with Ian Bell (38) on day one after a double strike by paceman Irfan Pathan (2-63).

The first Test in Nagpur was drawn.

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