Thorpe in the dark after
Kiwis grab initiative

New Zealand received undue advantage after opting to stay on the field and bat under the floodlights, England batsman Graham Thorpe said on Tuesday.

"One side should not have an advantage over the other," Thorpe said after New Zealand, needing a victory to square the three-Test series, had reached 269 for nine at the close on the fourth day of the third and final Test.

"They were naturally going to stay out there as it was going to benefit them, but it was hard for the fielding side.

"When I was at slip I had a black background at the other end and it wasn't ideal. I suppose it's the first time it has happened and it's something they will have to look at."

The umpires proposed to call off play due to bad light but New Zealand's Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan, who were at the crease, declined as they were on a roll and were happy to play under floodlights well after sunset. A further 103 runs were added to the New Zealand total before the close of play.

England were offered the same option when they were batting on Monday but turned it down.

An International Cricket Council ruling last year said that floodlights should be used in the event of bad light.

Thorpe added England face an uphill task on Wednesday after the hosts grabbed the initiative in the Test.

"They have set it up well and we are going to have a battle on our hands tomorrow," said Thorpe, England's top scorer with 42 in the first innings.

"We have put a lot of hard work into the tour and we have one more day left to save it. It's not an ideal way to end the tour."

England, trailing the hosts by 311 runs after play ended on Tuesday, won the first Test while the second in Wellington was drawn.

Mail Cricket Editor