AusLeisure

New Zealand Cricket and local authorities have agreed to an urgent inquiry to determine why the second one-day international between the hosts and Australia was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Morning rain On Thursday 2nd February delayed the scheduled start time, but the conditions improved enough for the ground staff to prepare McLean Park in Napier for a shortened match.

Practice facilities across the road from the ground were “bone dry” shortly after the rain stopped, according to New Zealand coach Mike Hesson, but the outfield at McLean Park failed to drain properly.

Australia captain Aaron Finch told reporters “there were parts of the ground where you'd hit the ball and water would just go everywhere.

"It wasn't ideal, I don't think it would have been safe for players to play on."

The decision left thousands of fans frustrated and the players visibly annoyed.

New Zealand Cricket Chief Operating Officer Anthony Crummy said they had agreed with the ground owners, the Napier City Council, to begin an independent inquiry as soon as possible as to why the field did not drain effectively.

Crummy explained “it's too early to say what happened.

"We did have some rain today but not enough to have the game being abandoned. So we really need to have a look at what has happened.

"We have spoken to council and they have reassured us there will be a full independent review."

Council Chief Executive Wayne Jack said he considered the review to be an "urgent" matter and would meet with New Zealand Cricket to start proceedings today.

The ground is due to host another ODI against South Africa on 1st March.

Crummy said it was too early to say whether that fixture was in doubt, adding “our number one priority is making sure that that game can go ahead without interruption.

“Again, we just have to find out what has happened and what steps need to take place that it doesn't happen again."

Napier Mayor Bill Dalton, while disappointed with the outcome, said he believed there was no issue with the drainage and stood by long-term groundsman Phil Stoyanoff.

Mayor Dalton added that several people who had access to the playing area had been surprised the match was abandoned, stating “it was only one small area of the park that was deemed not to be dry enough.

"I know people who walked over that particular area and couldn't see what the issue was.

"The general feeling amongst the public is that they couldn't understand why play didn't commence. But I'm not an umpire, or a cricketer and can't make those calls."

Crummy said all general admission ticket holders would receive a full refund, concluding that "about six-seven thousand" tickets had been sold but did not discuss how much money New Zealand Cricket would need to pay out, or their insurance arrangements.

Reuters 

Image: McLean Park yesterday - prior to the ODI being called off.

11th July 2016 - ARCHITECTS CHOSEN TO TAKE WELLINGTON’S BASIN RESERVE INTO 21ST CENTURY

28th June 2016 - ‘GARDEN OF EDEN’ PITCH WINS TURF AWARD

24th March 2015 - WELLINGTON FAREWELLS THE CRICKET WORLD CUP

29th October 2013 - WORLD CLASS SKATE FACILITY FOR NAPIER’S MARINE PARADE

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.