11th Match: Central Districts v Otago at Nelson, 9 Jan 2002 CricInfo Live Report

11th Match: Central Districts v Otago at Nelson, 9 Jan 2002
Lynn McConnell

Pre-game: Pre-game, Pre-game update,

NELSON MATCH ABANDONED

The umpires bowed to the inevitable in Nelson today and abandoned the Central Districts-Otago match at 2pm.

The unrelenting rain meant that even if it had stopped raining at that stage there was little chance of getting onto the ground by the latest start time of 3.35pm.

There was no wind to wipe away the heavy clouds or to clear the mist-shrouded hills and the whole sight at Trafalgar Park was more akin to a wet day in rugby season than it was to playing cricket.

Both teams will take two points from the game, although both had good cause to want four.

NO PLAY LIKELY IN NELSON FOR CD-OTAGO GAME

Rain started to fall in Nelson at 1am today and looks almost certain to force the abandonment of the State Shield match between Central Districts and Otago at Trafalgar Park.

Nelson's hills are shrouded in mist and there is very little breeze to blow the rain away. Temperatures are cool and the ground is soft at the southern end around either side of the

There has been no let-up in the rain and at 11.30am the umpires, Dave Quested and Evan Watkin said that lunch will be taken at 12noon and that the earliest the game could be abandoned was 2.30pm.

Under the competition laws, the latest a game can start is 3.35pm, and after all the rain it would take at least an hour before ground staff could have the ground prepared ready for play.

The loss of any play at all would be a blow for both teams. Central Districts need to get back on a winning track after a poor start to the series while Otago are looking to build on their good-sized win over Canterbury on Monday.

Also disappointed is Otago captain Lee Germon who has missed the last two games due to a hip flexor injury. He was due to play again today.