The first day of the second cricket Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh has been washed out after steady rain soaked the Basin Reserve in Wellington from early Friday morning.
Wet weather delays the start of the second cricket test between New Zealand and Bangladesh at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Photo: Supplied: NZ Cricket
Umpires Paul Reiffel and Ruchira Palliyaguruge called time without a ball being bowled after a brief pitch inspection at 3pm, with play scheduled to resume at 10.30am on Saturday.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead said it was difficult to pick exactly how the rain might have affected the pitch.
"I don't imagine it's going to change that much. It's been under covers for 24 hours, but it was pretty green looking anyway so I can't imagine it changes any of our plans at this stage," he said.
"My view is it's likely to be on the slow side early on, then hopefully the sun gets on it and maybe some wind and it might speed up a wee bit and flatten out a wee bit.
"I imagine there's going to be plenty in it for the bowling team, certainly for the first two days and may be even longer."
While play has been scheduled to start 30 minutes earlier on Saturday to try and make up some of the overs lost on Friday, rain is still forecast until at least midday, with showers expected for the rest of the day.
Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes said he was certain the wet weather would aid the team that won the toss.
"There's a lot of moisture around and I'd imagine tomorrow morning the wicket will do quite a bit first thing," the Englishman said. "It makes the toss quite crucial."
While neither team was confirmed, the weather may mean New Zealand opt for a four-pronged pace attack, with Matt Henry replacing legspinner Todd Astle.
Play, however, is also likely to be disrupted on Sunday as well with showers forecast and not expected to clear until the scheduled fourth day's play on Monday.
Stead said that while the Basin Reserve wicket had proved to favour batsmen in the past, there was still the possibility of a result.
"Anything can happen in cricket and we don't want to be caught short in our thinking," Stead added.
"Knowing some of the first-class games that have been here in the past, you still can get results quickly."
The Black Caps won the first Test in Hamilton by an innings and 52 runs, with skipper Kane Williamson's unbeaten double century anchoring a record first innings total of 715 for six.
Openers Jeet Raval (132) and Tom Latham (161) also posted centuries.
The third Test is scheduled to begin on March 16 in Christchurch.
-RNZ/Reuters
