-His side bowled an additional 28 extras (27 wides and a no ball). In other words, they bowled 4.4 extra overs.
-His captain was cautioned more than once by the umpires that they were running significantly behind schedule.
-His team's consistent changing of fielding positions during the over(s) towards the latter part of the Manawatu innings also contributed to the additional time wasted.
When the Hawke's Bay lads began their chase, they knew the equation.
The difference between 40 and 38 overs chasing 225 is not great - 5.62 runs an over v 5.92. Simply put, Hawke's Bay required an additional 0.3 of a run an over to be successful.
It's not lost on many that the teams played under the same rules that apply across under-17 tournaments in New Zealand.
Overs are regularly deducted in these premier tournaments.
To challenge umpires and blame them for simply following the rules is unacceptable, especially when the umpires had brought the slow-over rate to the captain's attention more than once.
In all, it was a good game and the better team won on the day.
Comments from Smidt post the outcome don't reflect well on either him as manager, his position within Hawke's Bay Cricket Association and, vicariously, Hawke's Bay Cricket.
- Brent O'Learey
Palmerston North
