A severe thunderstorm alert issued for Hamilton has pushed the start of the third ODI between India and New Zealand at Seddon Park further back on November 10, 2026. There was intermittent rain throughout the morning, and the toss, originally scheduled for 2:30 PM local time (7:00 AM IST), was delayed to 3:02 PM local time as ground staff worked to prepare the playing surface between returning showers.

Heavy rainfall had already been recorded in Hamilton across the 12 hours leading up to the fixture, leaving the outfield saturated and making it difficult for ground staff to get the surface ready in time for the originally planned start. Weather forecasts for November 10 indicated that conditions were likely to remain unsettled through the day, keeping the prospect of additional stoppages very much alive.

This is the third consecutive match in the series to be affected by the unseasonal rain at the start, adding further uncertainty to proceedings at Seddon Park.

What does the thunderstorm alert mean for the match at Seddon Park?

A formal severe thunderstorm alert was issued for Hamilton ahead of the third ODI, signalling that conditions could deteriorate well beyond routine rain interruptions. With the outfield already saturated following more than 12 hours of heavy rainfall before the match, any further downpours would make it increasingly difficult for play to get under way or continue without significant stoppages.

Ground staff were seen preparing the playing area during breaks in the rain, but returning showers repeatedly set back their efforts. The combination of a wet outfield and an active thunderstorm warning means that even if play does begin, further interruptions remain a real possibility throughout the day. The persistent rain affecting all three matches of this series has made scheduling a considerable challenge at Seddon Park.

What is at stake for India in this third ODI against New Zealand?

India arrived at Seddon Park with the opportunity to seal a clean sweep of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Having won the first two matches of the series, a victory in Hamilton would complete a series whitewash for the visitors on New Zealand soil.

The weather disruption adds an element of uncertainty to what would otherwise have been a straightforward series-closing fixture. Should rain prevent a result, India would still claim the series, but the chance to complete a clean sweep would be lost. The unsettled conditions across all three venues and match days have made this a particularly difficult tour from a weather management perspective.