Otago coach Vaughn Johnson hopes a call for reserve days in the twenty/20 competition won't be seen as a case of sour grapes.
The HRV Cup might feature the quickfire form of cricket but Johnson's side will find itself going a week between games before it hosts Canterbury at the University Oval on Friday evening.
That situation has arisen because Otago's latest game, against the Firebirds in Wellington yesterday, was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
The capital woke to heavy rain, which had not let up when the match was called off at noon, with both teams picking up two points.
It was Otago's second abandoned game and came on the heels of the 30-run loss to the Auckland Aces on Friday.
"We needed today," Volts coach Vaughn Johnson told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
"Ideally, we'd have a reserve day. It's our profile competition, and when there's rain, the other teams that get to play get a huge advantage. People might think we're moaning because we've had a few rained out. Last year, Otago suffered with the weather as well.
"I know it would mean extra money but I think the teams would like to have a reserve day. You can do all the preparation in the world and then you turn up to rain."
It remains a congested table but it seems unlikely Otago can afford to lose any of its three remaining games.
"There are 12 points available and we need to win every game," Johnson said.
Otago was returning from Wellington late last night, and will have to be content with work in the nets before Friday's game.
"It's not ideal but it's the way the dice roll. We've got to get on with it."
Johnson lamented Otago's batting performance in Auckland, saying his side lost too many "wickets in clumps" to have a chance of chasing down the Aces' 187.
"We're trying to rectify that situation. Plus we're working on getting ones and twos once we've lost a wicket."
• At Rangiora, Canterbury beat Central Districts by four wickets, thanks to half centuries from Rob Nicol and Tom Latham, the latter making his twenty/20 debut.
Central had made 188 for four, with veteran Mathew Sinclair top-scoring with 68, but Canterbury made steady progress in getting to 189 for six.
At Mt Maunganui, an unbeaten 49 from Black Cap Martin Guptill helped Auckland home against Northern Districts, which had been bowled out for a disappointing 111. Spinner Bruce Martin took three for 15 off his four overs and Andre Adams three for 27 in his as Northern was dismissed in only 19.2 overs.
Auckland took only 16.4 overs to reach 116 for four.
