Napier's reputation for rain when big cricket matches are to be played at McLean Park seems set to go another round with a forecast for more tomorrow for the first game there in nearly 10 months.
After more than 20mm of rainfall was recorded at Hawke's Bay Airport and other places around Napier, across the Heretaunga and Ruataniwha plains in two days up to late afternoon yesterday, national weather agency MetService was forecasting much more of the same.
Tomorrow the forecast is for mostly cloudy weather with periods of rain more frequent in the afternoon. The 10-day forecast shows little variation through to and including Art Deco Weekend next week.
Central Districts Cricket Association chief executive Pete De Wet conceded the forecast for tomorrow's Ford Trophy national men's one-day championship match between first-class sides Central and Northern Districts "doesn't look flash," but with both teams assembling in Napier, decisions won't be made until tomorrow.
"Good luck for the game," said a duty meteorologist last night.