CL T20: Lions-Perth Scorchers match called off due to rain

Rain had the final say as the Champions League Twenty20 match between Perth Scorchers and Highveld Lions was called off after huge puddles on the outfield turned the Sardar Patel Stadium into almost a lake here today.

The abandonment meant the two teams from Australia and South Africa split two points each.

It had been raining heavily since the toss and, as the heavens opened up after the flip of coin, there was a mad scramble among the groundsmen to get the covers on.

Unfortunately, hopes of getting the ground match-ready were dashed as the rain refused to relent, prompting to officials to call off the game, much to the disappointment of the crowd.

Thick clouds had enveloped the venue much before the two captains walked out into the middle for toss, which Highveld Lions skipper Alviro Petersen went on to win.

The Lions from South Africa are looking to go one up from their runners-up finish during the last edition of league.

Lions, this time, are banking on Petersen, veteran Neil McKenzie, leggie Imran Tahir and left-arm seam duo of Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Pakistani speedster Sohail Tanvir to take them through to the semis.

If the match had taken place, this would have been the first meeting between Scorchers and Lions in the short history of the Champions League T20.

The Lions, in last year's campaign, had beaten Mumbai Indians, CSK and Delhi Daredevils en route to the final while in the 2010-11 tournament, they had beaten Mumbai Indians and Guyana but failed to progress ahead.

Perth Scorchers had a forgettable inaugural season last year, registering just one victory, apart from being besieged by off-field problems.

They will be banking on captain and veteran Simon Katich and limited overs specialist Adam Voges in the batting department.

Apart from Katich, Voges and Test discard Marcus North, there are no other big names in their batting line-up. The bowling department is spin-heavy and is led by 42-year-old Brad Hogg.