AUCKLAND, March 31: The washout of the second day’s play in the final Test has greatly diminished New Zealand’s hopes of squaring the three-Test cricket series with England at Eden Park here.

The entire day’s play was wiped out by heavy overnight rain and persistent showers throughout Sunday after only 54 overs were possible on the opening day.

The Kiwis, trailing 1-0 in the series, go into the third day on 151 for five in their first innings with Chris Harris unbeaten on 55 and Adam Parore not out 24.

An early start to Monday’s third day may also be doubtful with Eden Park traditionally slow to dry.

More rain is forecast overnight and in the morning, greatly reducing New Zealand’s chances of squaring the series after losing the opening Christchurch Test by 98 runs and drawing the weather-hit second Test in Wellington.

Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming defended the decision to bat first which was a risky move on a green pitch with cloudy conditions.

“I don’t think we’re out of the game. Part of the decision at the toss was that the ball will move around for a couple of days,” Fleming said after Saturday’s play.

“We wanted to get the runs on the board and later in the match put the pressure on. At 19 for four I was looking at it with starry eyes, but it was a positive move.

“If we can grind it out, get a score on the board we’re in the game. The second innings could be the best conditions of the match and I also believe it will get up and down.”

Meanwhile, England’s strike bowler Andy Caddick insists playing against his country of origin is nothing more special than playing against any other Test cricket nation.

Caddick was again England’s star bowler taking 4-57 off 20 overs to destroy the New Zealand top order Saturday in the rain-hit final Test.

His efforts brought his series tally to 19 and his overall haul to 200 wickets from 53 Tests. Sunday’s play was washed out.

Caddick, 33, who shifted to England 10 years ago, insisted the series against New Zealand had no extra meaning for him despite being born in Christchurch.

“Test match cricket is hard enough as it is but playing against New Zealand is just another Test match for me,” he said Saturday.

But judging from his performance during the 1999 series in England when he took 20 Kiwi scalps in four Tests after a year out of the international arena, it’s clear Caddick finds a little bit extra for his former countrymen.

Then, like now paceman and his regular new ball partner Darren Gough was also absent — something Caddick says spurs him on.

“I’ve always enjoyed the fact Goughie isn’t here. It puts more pressure on my shoulders and I enjoy the responsibility,” he said. “You tend to get on with it and think about it a bit more.”

Although he got his Test career off to a spectacular start snaring Australian batting legend Allan Border for his first Test wicket in 1993, Caddick says his figures could have been better had it not been for injury and lack of faith by the selectors.

His lowest point was being left out of the Australian tour in 1998-99 under Alec Stewart’s captaincy after taking 105 first-class wickets in a season.

“It’s frustrating, I should have played as many Tests as Graham Thorpe (72) because we started at the same time. Injuries come along, selectors come along and I’ve had the bulk of them.—AFP