Despite blustery winds and patchy rain, players and spectators dug in for the first one-day cricket international between New Zealand and the West Indies at the Queenstown Events Centre on New Year's Eve.
However, play was officially abandoned about two hours after the players retreated to the pavilion for the third time.
Although the match had started with some foreboding as dark clouds gathered, the pitch was judged by pundits to be in excellent condition and the New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori asked the tourists to bat first after winning the toss.
When the heavens finally did open, prepared fans broke out the umbrellas, hats and anoraks en masse, but grumbles were few and far between.
Queenstowner Sean Windle, hanging out with a few pals, said it could rain all it liked, as they were happy sitting in an inflatable paddling pool.
The McKewans, of Dunedin, were among the many families who came to Queenstown especially for the match.
Avid cricket fan Patrick McKewan said the last time they had been here was for the New Zealand versus Sri Lanka test. The family knew the West Indies coach and physiotherapist from their three years in Sri Lanka.
"I used to organise New Zealand social cricket in the Middle East," Mr McKewan said.
"The Darjeeling Cricket Club in Dubai, the only cricket club in the Middle East that had a bar. Kyle Mills batted for them and Andre Adams, back in 2003 or 2004. Bryan Waddle played for us one year too."
Many young cricket fans were dressed like their Black Caps heroes and flocked to the boundary, bats in hand, for an autograph, whenever the play brought a Black Cap near.
Other youngsters were inspired to start cricket games themselves.
St John Wakatipu staff were on site but did not have call to administer treatments for sun or alcohol-related ailments.
The West Indies were 129 for five in the 36th over l when the players were forced from the field by the weather.
Although a traffic management plan was in place, traffic almost ground to a halt when motorists poured out on to Frankton Ladies Mile highway after the match was called off.
At the post-match press conference, Black Caps coach Andy Moles said the team was "greatly disappointed" the match was called off, "both from a players' perspective and, especially, for the marvellous crowd.
"Since the start of twenty/20 competition in Auckland on Boxing Day, the team has had incredible support at each match."
