Mumbai: Umpires K Hariharan and T K Handu made the second inspection and decided that the play will finally start at 1.40 pm in the three-day tour opener cricket match between Australia and Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai here today.

The play in the pre-lunch session had to be abandoned because of wet pitch and ground condition following heavy thunder showers last night and this morning.

The umpires have also decided that as per the playing conditions the game will be extended for one hour to make up for loss of time.

The sun was out shining brightly before the scheduled start at 9.30 am, but water had seeped under the covers to render damp the area adjacent to the pitch and thus the first session of the match was abandoned.