Third match cancelled in Cairns

The final attempt at staging a match between Pakistan A and New Zealand A in Cairns this week failed as the second rescheduled one-day game suffered the same result as the previous two fixtures and was cancelled due to a wet ground. Daryl Harper, the match referee, made the decision to conclude four days of inaction at Fretwell Park because of an unsafe run-up area at the northern end.

"They were still quite soft and there was some shifting underfoot, which meant it represented a potential injury threat to players," Harper said. Harper said the week, which began with the teams due to play a four-day game and was altered to include two one-day contests instead, had been "frustrating for all involved".

"The wicket looked in fantastic shape and the rest of the ground was fine, but even though the sun and the wind yesterday had improved the problem area, it was still below what we considered acceptable," he said. Pakistan A used the pitch for a centre-wicket practice before weekend matches against Queensland and Australia A.