It is the silly season in some respects in sport at this time of year but I say this with a sense of seriousness.
Is it time for New Zealand Cricket to consider some sort of contingency plan in regards to the persistent disruption to its international season?
Rain isn't something that has come down in the last shower, as it were, but inclement weather has over the years become a regular source of disappointment in New Zealand summers for cricketing fans.
We can do all the scientific research to become wiser on why the global weather pattern has changed from about November through to a good part of January here but, the fact remains, something has to be done about it.
"We can only control the controllables," has become the stock reply from coaches and captains but it's all too simplistic an escape clause.
It doesn't help solve a problem that is fast threatening to bring a code down to its knees.
The astronomical cost of playing in bubble-like stadiums, such as the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, is an ever-present deterrent, never mind the debate on whether the International Cricket Council would ever entertain such a proposal let alone agree to it.
While it is the country's No1 summer sport the parliamentarians are highly unlikely to make a dash to the Beehive in Wellington any time soon to brainstorm the merits of shifting the school holidays to late January, early February to avoid scores of holidaymakers uprooting their tents following water bombs and gale-force winds after a few days at camp sites around the country.
Reserve days for one-day internationals often pale into insignificance because, unless you are in a place such as Hawke's Bay or Gisborne, the likelihood of a dramatic improvement in weather is almost zilch.
While on holiday before Christmas, I spent eight days in Christchurch watching my daughter compete in the national under-21 women's tournament at Lincoln University.
A tidy contingent of Bay family and fans was there too and, while I braved the elements to work up a tan (or more like sunburn, I kid you not) in predominantly cloudy conditions, the order of the day was to come prepared with jackets and blankets.
The temperatures often snuck to 16C with stiff wind testing fans, let alone the under-21s unlucky enough to run into it as bowlers.
I tucked behind a shelter belt (hedges) of the nearby farming community of the garden city to create a modicum of summery warmth.
Frankly even an army of backpackers was finding the region's wet and wintry conditions a let-down.
Miraculously the women played every day owing to umpires who were game enough to joust with a group of adroit groundsmen at the three Lincoln grounds to ensure even a 5-over game had transpired one day.
The ground keepers' professionalism certainly won my respect.
Is Christchurch a lousy venue?
No, it's very possible I struck a rotten week, although I see lousy weather has prevailed there since then.
The Black Caps v West Indies second ODI in Napier was abandoned without a ball bowled but what TV viewers wouldn't have realised was that the day had improved although patches of McLean Park were deemed too dangerous to play.
Those who live here know it was an aberration because the days preceding and in succession were simply brilliant.
My point is, why doesn't NZ Cricket, with the help of the meteorological service, identify centres around the country that would allow games to be deftly switched to at short notice.
For example, when it's obvious Queenstown isn't cooking then simply remain in Napier. If Napier is looking dodgy then have, for argument's sake, Taupo, Seddon Park or Basin Reserve handy. The weather may improve at a venue between the shuffles so an affected area may still harbour hopes of staging a game.
With NZ Cricket issuing refunds to fans, regardless, it makes little difference if they do not revisit a venue should the weather persist.
No doubt Sky TV wallahs have to come to the party as well but that's another issue for maybe the next silly season.