Mexican standoff goes Canterbury's way

A more classic example of the frustrations which arise and the machinations which take place when a cricket match is affected by rain could hardly be imagined than that which occured at the Basin Reserve today when the second day of the Shell Trophy match between Wellington and Canterbury was lost without a ball being bowled.

Inevitably, when rain interupts with the progress of a match which is already well advanced, it is in the interests of one of the participating teams to continue as soon as prudence allows and in the interests of the other to procrastinate as much as possible.

Such was the case today when showers which were steady in the morning but became intermittent in the afternoon alternative nurtured and drowned the possibility that play might take place.

Wellington and Canterbury found themselves in a stern, though diplomatice Mexican standoff - the former eager to play as soon as and for as long as possible and the other equally reluctant to concede conditions had improved enough to allow them to take the field.

The umpires, as so often happens in such situations, found themselves mediators between the two parties, as powerless and as chivied as vote-counters in the American election.

Wellington were due to resume today at 314-4 in their first innings with Roger Twose 27 not out and Chris Nevin 2 not out, eager to score as many runs as possible as quickly as possible in the interests of inserting Canterbury and making progress towards an outright win.

Their position at the end of the first day was a strong one and they weren't eager to see it eroded by the loss of a full day's play. For that reason and in the knowledge an extra hour could be added to the end of play today to compensate for time lost, Wellington were keen for the umpires to delay any decision on the possible abandonment of play till the last possible moment.

On the other hand Canterbury, who had spent a long, cold and essentially unprofitable day in the field yesterday to be left with little hope of winning this match weren't as motivated to see play proceed.

They were reasonably happy when umpires Evan Watkin and Ian Shine called for lunch to be taken at 12.30pm without a ball having been bowled in the morning session. And they were in no hurry as the rain alternately swept the ground and abated throughout the afternoon to hurry the process of restarting play.

The umpires ultimately announced a ground inspection in the company with the captains, Wellington's Matthew Bell and Canterbury's Gary Stead, at 3pm. The conditions were then as good as they had been at any stage in the day and Wellington were adamant there was still a chance that some of the day could be saved.

Wellington coach Vaughn Johnson had made attempts throughout the day to practically demonstrate that all was not lost by assisting the groundstaff to ventilate troublesome damp matches around the periphery of the covers.

But no sooner had the umpires announced a further ground inspection at 4pm than the rain resumed and with sufficient intensity for Wellington's resolve to be disturbed. There was then agreement among all parties, with the assent of the umpires, that play should be abandoned for the day.

It will resume at 10.30am tomorrow with no provision in the playing conditions for lost time to be reclaimed.

The forecast for the third day is also for showers.