Cricket efforts fail

Press, 4 January 1980, Page 18

Cricket efforts fail

endeavours by the Canterbury Cricket Association to delay by a day the start of the Shell series match between Auckland and Canterbury have come to no avail. Already? Auckland and Canterbury have lost considerable play because of rain — Auckland probably being saved by the elements on the last day against Otago, and Canterbury missing two days of three against Wellington — but both teams were keen to fit in a three-day match at Lancaster Park. The first day was scheduled for today, but the condition of. Lancaster Park •— under 20cm of water ..in some areas — would almost certainly prevent any cricket being played. Realising the improbability of play today, the chairman of the Canterbury association (Mr L. J. Knowles) attempted to postpone the match and hold it on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. For this to be permissible it required the assent of four of the six major associations. Auckland and Canterbury readily agreed; so did .Central Districts, but the three associations leading the series, Northern Districts, Wellington and Otago, voted.no. “That annoys me,” said Mr Knowles last evening. “Provisions are there in the New. Zealand Cricket Council’s > rules to allow for situations like this as long as it does not disrupt arrangements to others.” According to Mr Knowles, the three associations which voted against the extension of . a day, provided a variety of reasons. Otago was opposed in principle; Wellington because it had lost two days through rain already; and Northern Districts because it was not concerned with happenings. The Fire Brigade is standing by this morning with a high speed pump to help clear surface water.