Cricket: NZC rejects late call-up for Outer Oval's pitch

By RICHARD BOOCK

New Zealand Cricket has rejected a radical pitch-swapping proposition on the eve of the second test at Eden Park.

Only days after the first test was almost called off because of an ever-growing crater at Westpac Park, NZC was forced to scuttle a plan to bring in a late replacement for Eden Park's drop-in test pitch.

The idea was floated by the New Zealand team after they practised on the Patumahoe-based drop-in at Eden Park's Outer Oval and found it to be a top-class surface, with good pace and bounce.

The same is not expected from the main ground's Kakanui clay drop-in, although officials have been quick to say it looks in good order and should prove a good pitch for the test match.

Working on the theory that both sides wanted the best playing surface possible, the New Zealanders planned to raise the matter with South Africa yesterday afternoon to explore any common ground.

But New Zealand manager Lindsay Crocker discussed the matter with chief executive Martin Snedden and decided against the change.

"It was a bit difficult, really," said Crocker.

"For starters, there was nothing wrong with the test pitch; it looks good and is expected to play well, and we're confident that it will.

"The other thing was that if we did make the swap, both sides would have practised on the test pitch before play, which is a bit unorthodox.

"In the end we decided it was getting a bit complicated."

He said no change would have been made without South Africa's consent, and said that from what he'd heard, the tourists were also quite taken with the Outer Oval's drop-in.