New Zealand vs Australia 2nd ODI at McLean Park, Napier: Abandonment irks cricketers and fans alike

The abandonment of the second One-Day International (ODI) between New Zealand and Australia on Thursday did go not down too well with the cricketers or with the fans.

The abandonment of the second One-Day International (ODI) between New Zealand and Australia on Thursday did not go down too well with the cricketers or with the fans. New Zealand remained ahead of Australia in the ongoing Chappell-Hadlee Trophy 2016-17 by 1-0, having won the first ODI by a narrow margin of 6 runs. Australia were required to win the second ODI in order to keep the series alive, but with the abandonment of the second game at the McLean Park in Napier, they will return home without at least winning the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, which they had comfortably won 3-0 in their backyard late last year. Full Cricket Scorecard: New Zealand vs Australia, 2nd ODI, Napier 

The game on Thursday was abandoned without a ball being bowled, and interestingly, it did not rain at all during the match hours. It had rained hard enough for the McLean Park in Napier and the ground could not soak up, which did not allow the match to get underway. The umpires decided to start the game twice, but there were damp spots inside the 30-yard-circle which posed threats to the safety of the players. Since it also remained overcast, the ground did not dry up quickly as it was expected. The match was supposed to start at around 1.00 pm was finally abandoned after several inspections from umpires which lasted till close to 7 pm in the evening. New Zealand vs Australia 2nd ODI at Napier abandoned due to poor conditions

The fans kept waiting inside the stadium for a very long time, and they were not even provided with the relevant information for long periods, according to reports. There were many who took out their anger on social media, as well as had something funny to say:

@mark_geenty award the game to Aust! That’s what happened in the Shield last season, all to play for in game three

— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) February 2, 2017

David Boon drank more beer on one flight to London than the amount of rain that fell in Napier to cancel the cricket today. #NZvAUS

— Craig fitzgerald (@Skunkie_C) February 2, 2017

Random drunk Kiwi: “That bloke wus brullyant for Australia the other day, what was his name, Sausage or something?” #NZvAus

— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) February 2, 2017

Match abondoned as the umpires couldn’t risk ruining Stoinis’ perfect hair #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/JA9Lmh8Z0K

— CrownBet.com.au (@crownbet) February 2, 2017

Next ODI at Napier is on March 1st vs South Africa…suspect it wont have dried out by then though…. #nzvaus

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) February 2, 2017

You’ve had a crowd in since midday today. Waiting nearly seven hours. They’re told nothing. Given no courtesy. No recognition. #NZvAus

— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) February 2, 2017

It’s just remarkable that the people running cricket matches can treat the spectators with such pure contempt. #NZvAus

— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) February 2, 2017

Well they’re ready for some play but the morning rain means the waiting game continues… #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/VnAkpyEMqf

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) February 2, 2017

What happened is the drainage system failed to work. This is something you would see at a local ground. Waste of a day for everyone. #NZvAUS https://t.co/A6KMZoMoF7

— Brett (@brettsinc10) February 2, 2017

How can international cricket be played at McLean Park again until the drainage is sorted? Inexcusable, and ultimately, embarrassing #NZvAUS

— Ollie Ritchie (@OllieRitchie1) February 2, 2017

Sounds like a fricken debacle at McLean Park today #NZvAUS Napier City Council better up their game or there’ll be no cricket for a while

— Graeme Woolf (@gcwoolf) February 2, 2017

So Napier is the only Cricket venue that has a washout with no rain for 5 hours and 20 minute delays in matches for sun strike! #NZvAUS

— Anthony Morgan (@anthfieg1) February 2, 2017

Meanwhile, New Zealand coach Mike Hesson minced no words in his criticism. He said post the official declaration of abandonment, “We were given a start time which was a bit on the keen side because there was still casual water around the outfield. As we warmed up you’d throw balls and water would spray. As we did so, more water came to the surface so it actually got worse rather than better which was unexpected.”

“The ground was unfit for play. It wasn’t even close, to be fair. One of those aspects is player safety but you also need to be able to play a game of cricket, whether it be diving around or digging your knee into the ground, whether it be slipping over, or the ball landing and plugging,” Hesson said.