Rain has the final say at the Basin Reserve

Wellington and Auckland took a point apiece from their State Championship match at the Basin Reserve which ended today in a rain-soaked draw.

The final day of the match went the way of the second and third, abandoned without a ball being bowled, as the umpires and players bowed to the consequences of dour and unrelenting rain.

Conditions in Wellington have steadily worsened since light showers sprinkled the Basin Reserve shortly before stumps on the first day. Wellington had just completed their first innings, dismissed for 238 after winning the toss and batting, and Auckland had reached 3/0 after only two overs in reply.

Those drops of rain on Sunday were only the heralds of a cavalcade of rotten weather to come. The rain continued throughout Sunday night and with increasing intensity, with only momentary breaks, throughout Monday.

By Monday night the rain had become persistent - the term showers no longer applied. The rain continued all evening, through the night and with a dogged persistence throughout the third day Tuesday. By Tuesday night it was heavier and even more sustained and the decision of the umpires to abandon play today was inevitable by early morning.

The Basin Reserve was sodden. The pitch had not been uncovered for three days and there was no possibility, even if the rain stopped - and it showed no sign of doing so - that the ground could be prepared for play at any time today.

The Aucklanders remained at their city hotel, detoured to the Basin Reserve to collect their gear from the dressing rooms before heading to the airport and an early flight home. The Wellington players resigned themselves disconsolately to another indoor practice session.

And already concern has arisen for the fate of Wellington's next home match, against Central Districts, which starts at the Basin Reserve on Monday. The long-term forecast is for the rain to turn to showers before clearing on Friday but there is then the disturbing possibility of rain returning on Sunday.

The pitch will have to remain covered until the rain abates and that may not be for more than 24 hours by which time it will have been under cover for almost a week. It is possible, with limited time to prepare a new pitch, that the pitched used for a day in this match might have to be used again for Central Districts.

Wellington are certain to have their regular captain and discarded Test opener Matthew Bell available for that match. New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming will have returned to Wellington but is unlikely to play and England A batsman David Sales, playing club cricket in the capital this season, may be added to the Wellington 12.