The stage was all set for an HRV Twenty20 opening night at Christchurch's Hagley Oval this evening when uninvited guests in the form of heavy rain clouds crashed the much-anticipated party.
The heavens opened shortly after Devon Hotel Central Stags captain Kieran Noema-Barnett had won the first toss of the HRV Twenty20 season - electing to bat. However, play was abandoned 90 minutes later without a ball bowled.
The match was to have been the first of a Canterbury Wizards doubleheader at their home venue, meaning the first HRV Twenty20 game under lights in the South Island will now take place tomorrow evening when the hosts meet defending champions the Otago Volts.
Wizards captain Peter Fulton commented that while it was a frustrating way for all involved to begin a season, his side was looking ahead to getting their campaign underway tomorrow against their southern rivals with a forecast of fine skies.
The Wizards and Stags collect two points apiece for the abandonment. Live coverage of tomorrow's match begins at 7pm on SKY.
