New Zealand's tour match against a Cricket Australia XI ended in farcical scenes after a record-breaking opening partnership in Sydney.
Aaron Finch (288 not out) and Ryan Carters (209) put on 503 for the first wicket to set a new Australian record but the match was abandoned just after Carters was dismissed, with New Zealand apparently refusing to bat because of the dangerous state of the wicket at the Blacktown International Sports Park.
The stand easily eclipsed the previous Australian record of 456 set by openers Ernie Mayne and Bill Ponsford for Victoria state in 1923-24.
Finch and Carters had been at the crease for 121.1 overs when reserve wicket-keeper Tom Latham became the first New Zealand bowler to celebrate a wicket, Carters edging to BJ Watling behind the stumps.
The wicket brought an early lunch, but New Zealand's batsmen failed to show after the break and Cricket Australia said the official reason was an 'unfit pitch', with the scorecard showing New Zealand declaring both innings.
New Zealand media reported that touring captain Brendon McCullum had refused to have his batsmen play out of safety concerns, with the pitch having developed crater-like impressions at both ends by the close of day one - there was no official comment from captain McCullum or New Zealand Cricket.
"The decision has been agreed between the two teams to abandon the match due to the wicket's deteriorating surface becoming unfit for first class cricket," CA's head of cricket operations Sean Cary said in a statement.
"Preparation of the wicket was compromised by poor weather conditions in Sydney early this week.
"In response, we're working with New Zealand Cricket to provide alternative preparation for the team ahead of next week's first Test."
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