India’s practice match against Yorkshire on Sunday was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to leaking covers.

It was particularly disappointing for Sachin Tendulkar, only recently returned from a back injury, who was looking for badly needed practice against Yorkshire after lasting just four deliveries in Friday's game against Leicestershire. But a wet patch on a fast bowler’s length, caused by overnight rain, forced the match to be called off despite sunny weather, which attracted some 1,000 spectators.

Former Australian captain and coach Bobby Simpson, serving as India's consultant coach, said: “It is a disappointment because both our openers Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly need a decent innings before the tournament starts”.

Simpson further said: “They didn't get one at Leicester and they have missed out here, but there was no point in taking any risk with serious injury with less than a week to go.”

India's first warm-up match against Leicestershire was also hit by the weather, with no play possible in the second session after the Indians had made 219 for seven.

Indian team has one more practice game against Nottinghamshire on Tuesday before starting their World Cup campaign against favourites South Africa at Hove on May 15.

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