India-West Indies third ODI called off

Visakhapatnam, Oct 12 (IANS) The third One-Day International (ODI) of the five-match series between India and the West Indies, scheduled here for Tuesday, has been called off due to the cyclonic storm 'Hudhud', the BCCI said.

The ODI was set to take place at the Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium here.

Board of Control for Cricket in India joint secretary Anurag Thakur said the Andhra Cricket Association was confident of hosting the ODI on Tuesday but "due to extreme weather conditions" they have decided to call it off to avoid any risk.

"Due to extreme weather conditions, the BCCI has had to cancel the ODI. It is disappointing but we cannot overcome natural calamities," Thakur was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"Even though the host association was hopeful of staging the match, if the weather cleared, the BCCI didn't want to take any risk."

Severe cyclonic storm 'Hudhud' hit the country's east coast earlier Sunday and left six people dead. Authorities in Andhra Pradesh evacuated 90,013 people across the four districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhaptnam and East Godavari, while about 68,000 people were evacuated from coastal districts of Odisha.

The BCCI had earlier over-ruled the possibility of shifting the ODI due to logistical issues.

After the first two matches, the series stands levelled at 1-1. The opening match was won by the visitors, who thumped India by 124 runs.

But in the next ODI in Delhi, the hosts levelled the series with a 48-run win.