Titans and Warriors to replay fixture in Port Elizabeth

The SuperSport Series match between Titans and Warriors that was abandoned last week due to an unfit pitch in Benoni has been rescheduled for November 12-15 in Port Elizabeth.

The original fixture at Willowmoore Park, between October 8-11, was called off after seven overs. The crease at the southern end of the ground was moist, affecting the bowler's delivery stride. Titans bowler Ethi Mbhalati found that his front foot dug several centimetres into a soft crease. During subsequent overs, the ground staff tried, unsuccessfully, to tackle the problem with sawdust and other equipment.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) decided to reschedule the game after a detailed investigation. "My recommendation is, therefore, that the abandoned fixture be replayed on 12th to 15th November, 2009, when both franchise teams have a bye," Brian Basson, CSA general manager (playing affairs) said. "The match is to be played at Axxess Park St. George's, Port Elizabeth, and all related costs of restaging the match are to be for the account of Easterns Titans."

Basson added that Titans, the hosting association, would not be fined or deducted points. "I can find no fair basis upon which to deduct points from the hosting team, or to award points to the touring team," Basson said. "An imposition of a heavy financial penalty on the hosting franchise will serve no real purpose. The real tragedy is the elimination of a premier first-class match from the cricket schedule wherein two teams were precluded from participating in a match through no fault of their own."