New Zealand are fuming after their tour match was abandoned in farcical circumstances due to an unsafe pitch, leaving their Test preparations in tatters.
A furious Black Caps coach Mike Hesson described the Blacktown International Sportspark wicket as a “jigsaw with half the pieces missing”, saying it was the sort of pitch he would expect on “day four in Abu Dhabi”.
The match, originally scheduled to be a four-day game, was called off after less than four sessions due to fears the pitch was too dangerous for play.
The Kiwis were worried late on the first day when two deliveries with the new ball rose sharply and “took a fairly big chunk of the surface with it”, Hesson said.
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The pitch deteriorated further overnight, Hesson said, further heightening their concerns to the point where they chose not to bowl any of their quicks during the 25.1 overs on day two.
After the home side declared their innings on 503-1, the Black Caps declared their innings without facing a ball to avoid exposing their batsmen to the pitch.
Players and umpires shook hands as they left the field after the Cricket Australia XI’s innings. But it was not until two hours later that the game was officially abandoned following talks between both sides and the match referee.
Hesson bristled at suggestions the Kiwis wanted the early finish due to the dominance of the CA XI, comprised of players overlooked for the first round of the Shield.
“I think you probably need to look at the game and see what unfolded,” Hesson said.
“The pitch wasn’t up to first class standard.
“I’d describe it as a jigsaw with half the pieces missing.
“They’re unable to grow any grass here at this time of the year so it was basically like rolled mud with a little topping on it.
“As it dried it baked and bits started falling out of it. It was going to last for a period of time but when the second new ball came on last night once you start taking hunks out of the surface that’s when it becomes unsuitable.”
Indifferent weather earlier in the week was blamed for the poor pitch, though the wicket at Blacktown has traditionally been low and slow.
The Black Caps squad fly to Brisbane on Saturday, two days earlier than first planned, but gained very little from what should have been their final dress rehearsal before the first Test.
The subcontinental conditions could not be any more different to the fast and bouncy pitch they will play on at the Gabba.
“You don’t turn up to any countries expecting favours,” Hesson said.
“We batted a day in Canberra and got 370-2 and that served some value but I think the last couple of days we realised this wasn’t up to first-class standard.”
Poor weather in Sydney earlier in the week was blamed for the unsatisfactory pitch.
The controversial finish overshadowed the heroics of openers Aaron Finch and Ryan Carters, who made 288 not out and 209 respectively. Their 503-run partnership was the highest for any wicket for all first-class cricket in Australia.
