Referee backs 'brave' umpires

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Three days after "switch-hitter" Kevin Pietersen had everyone talking about cricket's ability to excite, a combination of rain, rigid regulations and England's slow over-rate put the game in a much poorer light.

Having been set a revised target of 160 from 23 overs to win the second NatWest international, New Zealand reached 127 for two off 19. That placed them ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis requirement but, crucially, left the game one over short of the minimum needed for a result.

Either side could have won because Vettori's men required another seven runs from the 20th over to stay in front of the rate - and could not afford to lose a wicket. But then drizzle turned to steady rain and umpires Davis and Gould called the game off.

"I think the umpires did a commendable job," said Srinath, the former Indian pace bowler. "It was a brave decision to come off but as soon as they were walking back to the pavilion it rained heavily."

He also said that regulations prevented the 30-minute interval between innings from being shortened.

Vettori refused to criticise England's go-slow but he argued that Davis and Gould should have hurried them up. "We have to write a match report and that will be one of the things we comment on," he said.