Cricket: Napier Technical Old Boys premier men battle cabin fever as wintry blast dictates terms

Two days and no games — it's just not cricket, if you ask Napier Technical Old Boys coach Dale Smidt.

Smidt, whose Big Barrel-sponsored team are the Central Districts qualifiers among the contenders for the National Cricket Club Championship crown to see who is the best premier club side in the limited-overs format, said tonight the venue resembled a cyclone-hit zone.

"The cover's blown off the ground, and trees which have been there for years and years have been blown over," he said.

A sizeable working bee had zeroed in at Cornwall Park to help clear debris on the periphery of the park.

"We'll be on artificials [wickets] for sure tomorrow, I'd say," he said, after their games against Northeast Valley CC (Otago) and Burnside CC (Canterbury) were abandoned on Tuesday and yesterday, respectively, without a ball bowled because of the wintry storm holding the country at ransom.

Smidt said the park had artificial blocks and suspected all remaining matches until Saturday would be played on them. The Liam Rukuwai-captained Texans play Pukekohe Metro CC (ND) tomorrow.

"The covers were blown off [overnight] and the [grass] blocks are just soaking [yesterday] morning. It's absolutely drenched so ...

"It's absolutely freezing here, mate. I've got five layers on and I'm still cold."

Smidt said the players were battling cabin fever in their motel by frequenting a gym, engaging in throw downs at the covered nets 400m away at the park or playing Laser Force games at a nearby amusement centre.

"They are a couple of very long days, to be honest."