Cricket: Hamilton matches in danger

Chris Cairns appeals successfully for a leg-before decision against Jonty Rhodes. Picture / Reuters

New Zealand Cricket officials are nearing the end of their tether over the substandard nature of Hamilton's Westpac Park pitch.

The controversial wicket was again in the dog-box last night after New Zealand edged out the World XI by three wickets in a ridiculously low-scoring one-dayer, in the process wrapping up the tsunami relief fund series 2-1.

But it was hardly a classic contest on a Russian roulette-type surface, the World XI being dismissed for a mere 81 in 20.5 overs and New Zealand losing six wickets before overhauling the target in the 16th over.

The anti-climax brought to mind previous debacles involving the pitch, the most prominent including the two-day test against India in 2002-03, and the infamous "crater" test against South Africa last summer, when match referee Clive Lloyd almost called the game off.

It also raised the prospect of the one-day international against Australia - scheduled for March 2 - being transferred to another venue, although NZC chief executive Martin Sneddon refused to comment on that option last night.

"I don't think players were in danger, but it didn't look to be an ideal playing surface," Sneddon said after the game.

"But I don't want to go anywhere near speculating about [transferring the ODI]. I haven't had an opportunity to speak to any of the participants and I think there does need to be a bit of discussion and some quiet reflection on the issue."

It was Snedden who delivered an ultimatum to Northern Districts after the embarassment with the crater last summer, ordering them to relay the block and outfield, and to install improved drainage and practice facilities.

Failure to comply would have meant Northern being overlooked for upcoming international matches.

However, despite the four-point list being followed, last night's pitch was horribly inconsistent, providing variable bounce and rich success for those who hit the surface hard and exploited its lack of deep compaction.

Chris Cairns, who tends to bowl into the wicket rather than looking for movement in the air, was the biggest benefactor of the day with six for 12 off 5.5 overs, and Jeff Wilson also reaped the rewards of hitting the deck hard, taking three for six off four.

"I think there'll be a feeling of disappointment that the game didn't work out how we hoped and that's taken the edge off things," Snedden said.

"What we've got to do now is to talk to the players and the umpires. It didn't turn out the way we wanted, so clearly we have to think about why that was.

"To be fair, I suspect it's going to take some time."

World XI captain Shane Warne was fuming afterwards, labelling the pitch "terrible" and calling for the March 2 match against Australia to be played elsewhere.

"I think the authorities will probably move the game knowing the way the pitch played today. I wouldn't be surprised if it gets moved, I think it was sub-standard. I'm not sure why the game was here."

His team had refused to play a serious 20-over match afterwards for safety reasons.

"We had to play a 10-over game, which we were happy to do, but we had to bowl off two steps otherwise someone was going to get hurt."

Yesterday's low-scoring affair was a double blow for Hamiltonians, as Westpac Park seems unlikely to be considered for either of the two April tests against Sri Lanka, despite being scheduled to host one in January.

Aussie one-dayers

February 19, Wellington (d/n)

February 22, Christchurch (d/n)

February 26, Auckland (d/n)

March 2, Hamilton (d/n)

March 5, Napier