WELLINGTON: New Zealand has changed the venue of its team’s second ODI against England in February to Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui from Napier’s McLean Park due to a delay in re-turfing the troubled venue.

The match was shifted after poor weather affected the supply of new grass, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Wednesday.

McLean Park, which was dropped from the Test roster five years ago, has been plagued with drainage problems despite undergoing repairs ahead of the 2015 World Cup.

In the last home summer, an ODI against Australia was called off without a single ball bowled after the outfield failed to drain enough despite dry conditions that followed morning rain.

New Zealand subsequently moved an ODI against South Africa away from the ground after an investigation found high risk of another drainage failure.

The date for the second ODI will remain as Feb 28.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2017