The Otago Cricket Association has been left an estimated $20,000 out of pocket after a twenty/20 fixture between Otago and Wellington at the University Oval was abandoned without a ball being bowled, chief executive Ross Dykes said.
Love it or hate it, twenty/20 is big business.
And yesterday's unseasonal weather has effectively trimmed the association's predicted season's gate-takings by 25%, Dykes said shortly after the match was called off.
"We've set ourselves a budget of $80,000 from the twenty/20 gate-takings and this is a big setback for us.
"With the momentum twenty/20 has gained around the country, that would suggest we would have got a crowd of 2500-3500, so it is a major disappointment for us in that regard.
And also all the planning and effort that goes into it and it comes to nowt."
Adding up the cost, Dykes thought the washed-out match had cost the association $20,000.
"We've just got to hope that we get fine weather and good crowds for the remaining home games.
If we do, I'm sure we can make up the ground which we've lost."
The event was not insured, Dykes said, adding he believed the cost was prohibitive.
Otago's next match is against Northern Districts in Invercargill tomorrow.
Despite poor weather in the South in recent weeks, Dykes ruled out shifting the match from Invercargill to Dunedin.
"We've been monitoring the conditions and they've been keeping us informed. As of right now, they've got no excess water lying on the ground and the long-range forecast looks marginally better for them than it does for us."
While the association faced a shortfall, the region's cricket fans would not be short-changed.
Tickets for yesterday's game remain valid for any of Otago's remaining home games.
The next game in Dunedin is on Friday night.
The rain also robbed the Volts of an opportunity to take a share of the lead.
The team had to be content splitting the four competition points on offer with Wellington instead.
Central Districts lost to Auckland yesterday but lead the tournament with 12 points.
Otago is in second place with 10 points, from Auckland and Northern Districts on eight points each.
Canterbury trails with one win from four matches.
