First day of Christchurch Test between New Zealand and Pakistan washed out

The opening day of the first Test between New Zealand and Pakistan at Christchurch was washed out.     

Play was abandoned just after the scheduled tea adjournment with no sign of the sweeping showers easing.

However, fine weather is forecasted for the remaining four days and the umpires are hopeful of making up much of the lost time. Play on Friday will begin 30 minutes early at 10.30am (2130 GMT Thursday).

Pakistan is on a high coming into the Test after crushing the West Indies last month, while New Zealand are hoping for improvement after a disastrous tour of India.