Extreme heat has forced the Blackcaps to cancel the opening day of their tour match against a Victoria XI in Melbourne.
The split two-day fixture was scheduled for Friday and Sunday, with a training day in the middle, as the New Zealand cricketers prepare for their second test against Australia.
But temperatures reaching 45C are forecast for Friday, and the Blackcaps and Cricket Victoria have taken the precaution of calling off the first day of the match at Scotch College.
Instead, the NZ team will rest Friday, train on Saturday morning and bat first in a full-day format on Sunday.
"It's purely about player welfare and looking after the players," insists NZ coach Gary Stead. "If it's going to be that hot, I'm not sure we'll get too much out of it.
"There's a danger element as well."
Stead intends putting his bowlers through their paces on Saturday, which looms as an important session for veteran paceman Trent Boult, who missed the first test at Perth with a side strain.
He must prove his fitness before returning for the Boxing Day test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and his progress has been encouraging.
"Trent bowled really well [on Wednesday], somewhere near back to his best," says Stead. "He's certainly on track to be available for the MCG test."
Stead claims the his players are still feeling the affects of 40-plus C temperatures during the opening test and travel from West Australia.
"Having the extra day [rest] shouldn't do any harm for us at all.
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