Persistent rain in Sydney appears to have cleared ahead of Wednesday night’s Twenty20 international between Australia and India at ANZ Stadium.

Heavy low cloud was still hanging over the venue two hours before the match’s scheduled start at 7.30pm AEDT but no rain had fallen for over two hours, raising hopes of an uninterrupted start for the first international cricket match at Sydney’s Olympic Park.

A women’s T20 between Australia and New Zealand, played as a curtain-raiser to the men’s match, was delayed by a half-hour and reduced to 18 overs-a-side but once started played uninterrupted with the New Zealanders claiming a six-wicket win.

Over 60,000 tickets had been presold for the match, raising hopes of a record attendance for a cricket match in Sydney with the previous record being 58,446 for a day’s play in the 1928 Ashes Test at the SCG.

ANZ Stadium organisers were still hoping to break the record and have encouraged fans to still turn up for the match despite the bad weather.

“With most seats at ANZ Stadium under cover, there is no reason fans should not take full advantage of their ticket,” ANZ Stadium officials said in a statement.

“If rain persists, the game may be delayed and the Duckworth-Lewis (adjusted scoring) method will be employed.”