2nd Test: New Zealand v India at Hamilton, 19-23 Dec 2002 CricInfo Live Report

2nd Test: New Zealand v India at Hamilton, 19-23 Dec 2002
Lynn McConnell

Pre-game: Pre-game, Delay, End of day one,

NO PLAY ON FIRST DAY IN HAMILTON - CALLED OFF 2.45PM
Play on the scheduled first day of the National Bank Test between New Zealand and India at Hamilton was abandoned at 2.45pm today.

The match umpires, Daryl Harper and Asoka de Silva, inspected the ground at 2.30pm and after a lengthy discussion on the outfield it was decided to abandon play for the day.

The threat of a thunderstorm which had been building toward the south had aided the thinking.

Groundstaff, who had been working to dry the outfield since early this morning, were quick to signal what they thought was going to happen by hurrying to get the covers on the ground to avert any damage to the more vulnerable parts of the ground.

The match will start at 10.30am tomorrow and continue until 6.30am with 105 overs to be bowled.

Play will start at 10.30am on the other three days of the match.

Weather conditions are expected to improve from tomorrow with an anti-cyclone in the Tasman Sea likely to move onto the country overnight.

However, if there is no wind to assist the drying process, it is doubtful there will be a start on time tomorrow.

NO PLAY BEFORE 4PM AT EARLIEST IN HAMILTON
Prospects of any play on the scheduled first day of the second National Bank Test between New Zealand and India in Hamilton are declining the longer the day goes.

While no official word has been received, it is understood that the umpires, Daryl Harper and Asoka de Silva, will look again at the ground at 4pm.

Fine weather continues but there is a lack of wind to aid the drying process. The outfield was sodden after Hamilton received its usual December rainfall in the few days before the match was due.

Groundsman Doug Strachan has already said publicly that he would prefer that play was abandoned for the day which would allow him to complete his pre-Test pitch preparation after it was denied him in the 36 hours before the game.

START UNLIKELY BEFORE MID-AFTERNOON IN HAMILTON
The good news from Hamilton is that the day has dawned fine and warm, but that is unlikely to be sufficient to allow anything other than a start to the second National Bank Series Test match around mid-afternoon.

Heavy rain fell overnight, following continual showers earlier in the day and considerable drying is needed to get the outfield into reasonable shape.

Groundsman Doug Strachan wasn't complaining as he was able to get a reasonable amount of time to complete his pitch presentation.

The pitch has been covered since mid-afternoon on Tuesday.

Conditions are typically humid in Hamilton but there is a lack of a drying wind to speed the process.

The pitch has emerged from under the covers looking very green.

The Indian side has not yet been named for the match and is not expected to be announced until just before the toss.