University - The first attempted match of the 2009/10 Twenty20 season has ended in farce when the multi-million dollar University Oval was unable to manage the lighting at the ground on Wednesday night.
Earlier all other matches were called off due to the recent downpour's across the city, the later 7pm start for NDCC v University meant the ground had a little more time to dry.
Northern Districts were struggling (despite good knocks from Matt Salakas and guest Wes Croese) on a slow pitch but were still hoping of putting up 110+ when the light was finally accepted by the batsmen. Early in the match the lights went out but as it was still late afternoon the light was acceptable. The conditions deteriorated rapidly however; hats off must go to Croese and the Butcher middle order who rejected the light offer for up to five overs so that a match might be completed.
Finally the players came off as confusion over who was responsible for the lights rained evident. Supposedly the technician on call was unable to resurrect the lights, also not able to reach the back-up technician before an electrician was dispatched to locate the back-up technician. A comedy of errors in a display of finger-pointing embarrassment.
This was further compounded when the lights were finally brought on at 9:01pm; just as the rain began to fall and one minute after match abandonment.
A relatively healthy turnout started filing out shortly after 8pm as word got around that there was no information regarding the lights, and that play would not be called off until 9pm.
There is no word yet whether the match will be replayed or is treated as a played but abandoned match.
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