Dunedin retains status despite washout (21 December 1998)

21 December 1998

Dunedin retains status despite washout

The Christchurch Press

Dunedin will remain a test cricket venue despite another test in the city being abandoned without a ball being bowled, says New Zealand Cricket chief executive Christopher Doig.

The first test between New Zealand and India was officially abandoned at lunchtime yesterday because of the wet weather. The sides will play a one-day exhibition game, weather permitting, today.

Doig rejected any suggestion that Otago's status as a test venue was under threat as "naive and illogical".

"The weather by its very nature is unpredictable and you can't account for it when planning cricket matches. The weather in October and November was good," Doig said.

A test match between New Zealand and Pakistan was also abandoned in Dunedin in February 1989.

The southern city now holds an unenviable world record of two washout tests with Manchester, England.

"I don't see this as a negative for Dunedin," Doig said.

Doig said the aborted match would not provide a strain on NZC's finances as the budget for test cricket was "not hugely optimistic".

With considerable television fees being paid to screen games, it is not expected NZC will be unduly affected by the washout.

While the 11 one-day matches to be played this season are insured, the six tests are not. Doig said playing a one-day game would be an attempt to recoup some finances and show good faith to the Dunedin public.

The attempt to play today's 50-over game will be a one-off and, if the weather is bad, will not be repeated tomorrow. Ground staff predicted they would need all morning to tidy the waterlogged turf.

Players will appear in traditional white clothing and use a red ball, a first for a day-night match.

Sir Richard Hadlee sees teams being compromised by using the red ball, because of visibility problems at night.

"In ordinary circumstances the team winning the toss here would want to bowl first and make best use of a fresh wicket. But because the red ball is harder to see as it gets older, it would be better batting in natural light."

Sir Richard said the decision to play a one-day game was a sensible one, despite denying teams the chance to joust for the psychological advantage with five days left before the second test in Wellington.

Meanwhile, Doig played down complaints made by the Indian team to him over comments made by New Zealand coach Steve Rixon.

Rixon criticised the visitors for not being keen to make up for lost time.

"I have had a word with Steve about it and there the matter rests. There is no ill-feeling between the teams," Doig said.

Rixon said the matter was closed.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)