Rain whets Stags’ appetite for a win
Central Districts are getting hungry for a win in the one-day competition after rain prevented play against Wellington in Palmerston North.
The match at Fitzherbert Park yesterday was abandoned without a ball bowled due to heavy rain.
After four one-day games CD have had three losses and a match abandoned, and are way behind leaders Canterbury.
Rain greeted people arriving at the ground yesterday morning and lunch was brought forward to 12pm.
The rain didn’t stop and 11 millimetres had fallen by midday, according to Metservice, so the match was abandoned.
It would have taken ground staff more than three hours to prepare the ground once the rain stopped.
The rain did stop in the afternoon, but there wouldn’t have been enough time to dry the ground. The pitch and bowlers’ run ups were covered, but the covers would have taken time to remove and the outfield was wet.
CD captain Tom Bruce was disappointed after the call came to cancel the game, but he understood why it was made.
‘‘It sums up our season, to be fair.’’ CD got through a full game in Palmerston North on Sunday, losing by five wickets to Wellington, but bad weather has affected their other three one-day games.
Their first two one-day games in New Plymouth last week were also rain affected and shortened to 20 and 24 overs per side, respectively.
He said they couldn’t control the rain, but he was still frustrated not to play.
‘‘Unfortunately, we can’t get any rhythm or momentum. We’ve played one full four-day game.
‘‘The other three, they were affected at some stage and one was fully abandoned, which doesn’t happen often.’’
Even though CD lost on Sunday, Bruce was happy they managed to play a full day’s cricket.
‘‘It was nice to actually play 50 overs on Sunday.
‘‘Fitzy is always a great ground and Manawatu¯ do a great job.’’
CD next play Canterbury in two one-day games back at New Plymouth on Sunday and Tuesday.
Bruce was hopeful they could have two matches uninterrupted and knew CD needed to start picking up wins.
Bruce joked they were at least on the board after getting two points for the abandonment.
He said Canterbury were going well, but CD were not far from turning things around. CD are likely to get wicketkeeper-batsman Dane Cleaver back from his New Zealand A duties for this weekend and pace bowler Blair Tickner is back after recovering from a hamstring niggle and finishing New Zealand A commitments.
‘‘Unfortunately, we can’t get any rhythm or momentum. We’ve played one full four-day game.’’
Tom Bruce
CD captain