Azharuddin's fire, and rain, foil Middlesex

India 232-8 Middlesex 192-7 India win on higher run rate

Mohammed Azharuddin produced the day's decisive innings, hitting 73 off 103 balls, as India tuned up for Texaco Trophy battle with a win at Lord's.

However, the manner of their victory over Middlesex was not entirely satisfactory as a lead-up for The Oval on Thursday, an early-evening shower turning the result into a triumph by a faster scoring rate.

Middlesex, originally facing a target of 233, were behind the clock at 156 for 3 when rain stopped play with nine-and-a-half overs remaining. After a 20-minute delay, a revised requirement of 58 runs from 33 deliveries proved well beyond reach, and they finished 22 short.