1st Test: New Zealand v Bangladesh at Hamilton, 18-22 Dec 2001 CricInfo Live Report

1st Test: New Zealand v Bangladesh at Hamilton, 18-22 Dec 2001
Lynn McConnell

Pre-game: Play delayed, Lunch - Day One, Mid-afternoon,

PLAY ABANDONED FOR FIRST DAY OF HAMILTON TEST

Day One of the New Zealand-Bangladesh Test match at Hamilton's WestpacTrust Park has been abandoned just after the scheduled lunch break.

While the rain has finally stopped, an inspection of the ground by the umpires, Tony Hill of New Zealand and David Orchard, revealed it was too wet for any prospect of play today.

They made a decision that the game will start at 11.30am tomorrow and continue for an extra half hour until 7.30.

STILL NO SIGN OF PLAY IN HAMILTON

Just when things looked like brightening up at Hamilton's WestpacTrust Park for the opening day of the National Bank series match between New Zealand and Bangladesh, the rain rolled back in.

The groundstaff had just started mopping up operations on the extensive covers and were soon forced to retreat to the cover offered by the pavilion.

No decision has been made on a possible abandonment.

Lunch will be taken at the scheduled break of 2pm. Ground staff have said it will take three to four hours to prepare the ground if it stops raining.

That would mean an abandonment would be most likely around 3pm.

RAIN OFFERS LITTLE CHANCE OF PLAY IN HAMILTON

Rain that has followed cricketers all over the southern hemisphere made an appearance at Hamilton causing a certain delay to play on the first day of the National Bank Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh at WestpacTrust Park.

The match was due to start at 12 noon, a move to capitalise on greater spectator interest for the last session of the day, but also to utilise the long hours of twilight in New Zealand at this time of year.

Should the weather clear, there is the chance play could be extended by an hour to 8pm by utilising the new lights that have been installed at the ground for day/night cricket.

However, local enthusiasts are not convinced that the weather will clear at all today and forecasts do indicate a possible improvement tomorrow.

The rain has also disrupted the chance of 12th man Chris Drum flying to Dunedin to join his Auckland side in their State Championship match against Otago.

It was anticipated that once New Zealand had safely negotiated their warm-up procedures he would make the trip south. However, that plan has been foiled by the weather and he will now stay with the side.

Ground staff have indicated that if the rain stopped it would be three to four hours before the ground would be ready for play.

The umpires are, Tony Hill (New Zealand) and David Orchard (South Africa). The match referee is Barry Jarman.

The New Zealand team is: Stephen Fleming (captain), Mark Richardson, Lou Vincent, Mathew Sinclair, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Adam Parore, Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, Chris Martin. Chris Drum.

The Bangladesh team for the first Test is: Khaled Mashud (captain), Al Sahariar, Aminul Islam, Habibul Bashar, Javed Omar, Khaled Mahmud, Manjural Islam, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mohammad Ashraful, Mohammad Sharif, Sanwar Hossain.