NZC hold inquiry into Hamilton pitch

Following the criticism of the recently relaid Westpac Park pitch at Hamilton for the third match between New Zealand and the World XI yesterday, New Zealand Cricket is undertaking an intensive evaluation of the square there. Meanwhile two one-day matches in NZ's State Shield, scheduled for Hamilton on Saturday and Sunday, have been moved to Gisborne.

After his World XI was shot out for 81 - New Zealand limped to 83 for 6 to win by four wickets - Shane Warne criticised the state of the pitch, and suggested that the one-day international scheduled for Hamilton on March 2 during Australia's forthcoming tour should be moved elsewhere.

David Cooper, Northern Districts' chief executive, explained: "We need to work through this process to determine whether a one-day match could be played at the ground following the serious issues with the pitch in yesterday's match against the FICA World XI."