Pitch sabotage, Pakistan A game cancelled
CricInfo Report
6 December 1998
The four-day match between New Zealand A and Pakistan A at WestpacTrust
Park, Hamilton, has been called off on Sunday morning after vandals had
attacked the pitch overnight.
Groundsmen discovered the damage this morning, which consisted of holes
being dug around a good length on the pitch. The damaged areas were
repaired and umpires Sommer and Watkin decided that the pitch was suitable
for play.
Pakistan team management considered, however, that the strip was not
suitable for play and refused to continue with the match.
The umpires then decided to abandon the game and award the fixture to New
Zealand A by default.
Two days play in the one-off A-team match had been completed. Pakistan A
were dismissed for 100 in their first innings. New Zealand A made 279 in
reply. At close of play Saturday, Pakistan A were 15 for 0, still needing
another 164 to make NZ-A bat again.
Written for CricInfo by Rick Eyre (rick@cricinfo.com)
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