Rain Fizzles Volts
LIGHTS, camera and . . . rain.
Dunedin’s fine spell of weather came to an abrupt end moments after Otago won the toss and asked Wellington to bat in a televised twenty20 fixture at the University Oval yesterday.
Ground staff hauled out the covers and that is were they mostly stayed.
An attempt to start the game was scuppered by a light shower shortly before the players were scheduled to emerge at 4.55pm.
The same happened an hour later and eventually the light rain turned into something more malevolent. The game was called off without a ball bowled.
‘‘That is what happens when you schedule a televised game in Dunedin,’’ one disappointed fan noted.
Volts assistant coach Anton Roux produced a wry smile at that suggestion.
It was a missed opportunity for the team to perform well at home and help restore some faith following a heavy loss to Canterbury midweek.
‘‘Not only that but I don’t know when there was a TV game last scheduled here for the Volts,’’ Roux said.
‘‘It was an opportunity to showcase what we’ve done in the time being. The ground staff have been bending over backwards to prepare a good surface for us. They have done magnificent work with the outfield, the nets are fantastic, so it was a pity is was not on show.
‘‘We have a bit of a break now and it would have been nice to go into that break with a win. But we will have a bit of time to regroup and really come out smashing in the next game.’’
Roux felt there was an opportunity to start the game earlier when the rain was intermittent.
‘‘There were a couple of instances when we could have started the game. Rules are rules, but that is potentially an area where we can sharpen up when organising fixtures like this.
‘‘I know for a fact that in the UK we would have been playing a few overs at least.’’
Yesterday’s Super Smash match in Nelson went ahead without any interruptions. Former Otago lefthander Jesse Ryder whacked 84 from just 40 deliveries to help Central Districts reach 213 for five.
Will Young made a significant contribution as well, racing to 53 from 31 deliveries.
Canterbury made a valiant attempt to keep pace with the demanding required run rate.
Cole McConchie slapped 54 from 37 and Cameron Fletcher swatted an undefeated 74 from 39 balls.
But Canterbury fell nine runs short of victory despite a courageous chase.
On Saturday, Northern Districts wicketkeeperbatsman Tim Seifert smashed the fastest New Zealand domestic twenty20 century. The feat took just 40 balls and his knock of 107 (42 balls) helped the home side reach 214 for nine at Bay Oval.
Auckland produced an admirable chase, getting through to 207 for six.
Ben Laughlin stymied the Aces’ progress with three for 27 but his teammate, Black Caps seamer Tim Southee, did not have a good day.
He got clobbered for 60 runs from four overs.