METRONEWS
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by New Zealand Broadcasting School students

Poor conditions lead to abandoned Plunket Shield match at Mainpower Oval

Sport

Isaiah Smiler
Duncan Weich
Mainpower Oval Pitch
The pitch at Mainpower Oval in Rangiora was deemed to be unfit for play during a first-class match between Canterbury and Auckland.  Isaiah Smiler

Plunket Shield cricket at Mainpower Oval was abandoned after umpires deemed the pitch to be unplayable.

The last home match of the year for the Canterbury Kings has been abandoned at Mainpower Oval in Rangiora.

The day was meant to be the Canterbury King's chance to apply even more pressure on Auckland, but following just three overs of play, the match was abandoned. 

After declaring on 485/6, Canterbury looked to be in the box seat late on Sunday with Auckland reeling at 57 for 5 at the end of the day's play. 

A massive double century by Ken McClure set up the home side for a big total. Other notable contributions to the run tally include a ton from Cameron Fletcher and a 99 from Cole McConchie. 

Play was abandoned during yesterday's morning session after umpires deemed the pitch to be unplayable. 

Canterbury Kings assistant coach Brendan Donkers says there were signs the pitch wasn't fit for play. 

"There were a couple of delivery this morning that indicated the pitch to be unplayable."

Canterbury Kings assistant coach Brendan Donkers says it's disappointing that the match was abandoned regardless of their position.

He adds that regardless of the state of the match, it's disappointing that is had to be abandoned.

"Any cricket game that gets abandoned like this is disappointing."

Auckland were in big trouble after the dismissal of Matt McEwan left them 66 for 6.

Donkers says the way Auckland were playing means that they were possibly more concerned about the state of the pitch.

"I think they were 55 for 5 after 48 overs yesterday so that indicates the mindset that Auckland went into their innings with. Perhaps they were more focused on the pitch as opposed to playing the game."

He re-assures that Mainpower Oval will continue to see first-class cricket in the coming future despite this small hiccup.

"The quality status of this ground in unprecedented. We'll be playing cricket here next year."

Canterbury will play two away games against the Central Stags and the Otago Volts to finish the season.

 

Canterbury: 485/6 decl. (McClure 210, Fletcher 100*, McConchie 99, McEwan 3-115)
Auckland: 66/6 (Solia 17, Williams 4-16, Hazeldine 2-21)

Full scorecard here: https://scoring.nzc.nz/livescoring/match4998/scorecard.aspx