Damp outfield ruins Napier ODI

New Zealand v Australia abandoned without toss
Scorecard

A substantial McLean Park crowd was left damp and irritated after the second Chappell-Hadlee ODI between New Zealand and Australia was abandoned without a ball bowled due to damp patches on the outfield. It was Napier's second successive abandoned ODI.

Rain that had lasted most of the morning delayed the scheduled start of 2pm local time, but the showers cleared and the covers were removed about an hour later.

A series of inspections by the umpires followed as the ground staff worked on the wicket square and the outfield, but overcast skies conspired against efforts to dry patches of the outfield that were deemed too dangerous for the players .

Eventually the match was called off about 6.45pm local time, half an hour before the latest possible start time of 7.15pm. In the meantime spectators were left none the wiser as they waited vainly for the match to begin.

The abandonment means that Australia cannot win the series after their defeat in the opening match at Eden Park in Auckland, however they can retain the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy secured at home earlier in the season by winning the final encounter at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday.