The decision to move the cricket match scheduled for McLean Park in February has "completely messed up" one fan's "cricketing tour of a lifetime".
Mark Percy, a proud member of England's Barmy Army, has been left with non-refundable travel costs after the one-day international (ODI) between Blacks Caps and England on February 28 was shifted to Mount Maunganui.
"It's not enough to refund the cost of the tickets. Fans should be compensated for non-refundable travel and accommodation bookings."
Mr Percy had planned to watch the Tri Series T20 between Black Caps and Australia in Auckland before heading to Hamilton, Napier, Wellington and Christchurch for the England Black Caps ODI series.
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Advertise with NZME.He had booked accommodation in Napier and planned to spend an extra day sightseeing.
"To avoid losing the non-refundable $260, we would have to make a marathon day trip to Mount Maunganui to see the relocated cricket match."
"This would mean a 600km return journey, driving for more than seven hours, probably not returning to Napier until the early hours."
He said alternatively they could lose the money and stay in Mount Maunganui, but this would leave them with a "525km journey down to Wellington for the next match."
"The decision to move the match has completely messed up our itinerary on a cricketing tour of a lifetime."
Mr Percy can't understand why tickets were released two weeks ago for the match when officials must have known for months that the replacement turf wasn't growing and there was a national shortage of sand for the drainage improvements.
"The problems at McLean Park didn't suddenly flare up days after the tickets for the Napier match went on sale. Why did they go ahead and do it?"
The announcement was made on Wednesday by Napier City Council. New Zealand Cricket and council chief executive Wayne Jack said it was not a decision made lightly.
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Advertise with NZME.Because of the unprecedented rainfall since May, the turf farm in South Auckland was too wet to progress with the laying, sanding and seeding of the turf and sourcing the 7600 tonnes of sand required for the subsoil drainage layers had also been problematic with getting the pitch ready in time.
Mr Jack said they were disappointed it was impacting people but these factors were completely outside of their control.
"The project team has been working extremely hard to deliver a revitalised McLean Park to the people of Napier and to the New Zealand sporting community by February, so this delay is hugely disappointing."
New Zealand Cricket manage the ticket sales and rescheduling of games and a spokesperson said two weeks ago when tickets came out they were still hopeful the situation could be negotiated.
"We were aware there were some challenges, but at that point were still felt confident the match could go ahead. However, unfortunately our most recent update revealed the circumstances had worsened rather than improved, and we felt the risk was no longer acceptable."
Mr Percy said England's "legendary Barmy Army of cricket fans" would not forget this "shambles", which could only do more harm to Napier as a venue for international cricket, following the "fiasco" in February when drainage issues washed out the ODI against Australia.
