Preparation for first Test hampered by Wanganui weather

Bangladesh's preparation for the first Test of their New Zealand tour, only 10 days away, suffered a severe setback when the second day of their three-day match against a New Zealand District Association XI was abandoned today after only four balls had been bowled.

The tourists, who represent Test cricket's most immature nation, have only seven days of first-class or representative play before the first of two Tests begins at Hamilton on December 18. The loss of any one of those days severely handicaps their Test preparation.

Bangladesh were about to take the field for their first innings after the District Association XI's declaration at their overnight total of 232/3 when a last, heavy shower forced umpires Billy Bowden and Dave Quested to abandon the day's play.

Four balls had been bowled at the scheduled start of the morning session before the first of a series of showers chased the players from the field. There was no further play before lunch, which was taken 50 minutes early at noon, at efforts to re-start the match in the afternoon were thwarted by the return of rain.

The pitch and outfield were prepared for a start of play at 3pm after a pitch inspection by the umpires at 2.30pm and it was then Peter McGlashan declared the Districts' first innings in the hope of hurrying the progress of the match. The rain returned to the frustration of both teams moments before the 3pm resumption and fell with such intensity, such an appearance of persistence that the umpires surrendered the day's play to the elements.

Such losses of play are costly to the Bangladesh side who have much to learn about New Zealand conditions ahead of their first Test series in the Antipodes.

"We want to get out there and have a bat and find out what its like to bat under these conditions," Bangladesh coach Trevor Chappell said.

"Hopefully, a few blokes will get some time in the middle.

"Our goal for the tour is to improve our game. We're very much learning at the five-day or the longer versions of the game. We've only played two season of first-class cricket in Bangladesh so not only are we short on Test experience, we're short on first-class experience.

"A game like this - a three-day game, then we have a four-day game in Auckland next week - is vital. Those will be good for giving us a better idea of how to play the game at this level.

"Watching the way the District Association XI batted was good for our guys to see how to handle these conditions. They were in no rush. They just batted and batted and batted. They were prepared to just stay out there, not get frustrated and not get bored.

"I'm sure our guys can learn from the way these young guys played it. I'm going to point out to our batsmen that's the sort of thing they have to do - stay out there, occupy the crease and eventually the runs will come."

The match will begin half an hour early at 10am on its final day tomorrow as an attempt is made to make up some of today's lost play.