Live coverage has concluded.
8:09pm - MATCH ABANDONED
News from the middle, match abandoned.
The umpires have decided play wouldn't be possible in the conditions.
Bugger. But not to worry cricket fans, there's three ODIs to come, starting at Tauranga's Bay Oval on Tuesday - so join us then!
8:04pm
The umpires are out in the middle for their inspection. The rain is still falling though.
No news from the middle to report.
7:51pm
More rain is falling, and the covers go back on. We could be in for a damp squib here, folks.
7:36pm
Word from the middle is that there'll be another inspection at 8pm.
7:25pm
The main area is concern is water on the outfield. The groundstaff are working to dry it, but we're approaching the point where we'll start to lose overs.
Five overs a side anyone?
7:15pm
It looks like we're going to get underway soon. The rain has cleared, and the grounstaff are preparing the pitch for play.
7:06pm
Nope. The rain is getting heavier.
The covers are coming back on.
7:04pm
It's just started to drizzle slightly again, so here's hoping it doesn't cause too much disruption...
6:50pm
The covers are off, and there'll be another pitch inspection at 7pm.
6:35pm
The toss has been delayed, and the umpires are having a look at the pitch.
The Dutch boys are out on McLean Park throwing a rugby ball around.
Love it.
6:30pm
Good evening! We're still waiting for word on the conditions and whether we'll start on time.
It's been raining in Napier all week, and the pitch is under covers, but the rain is staying away for now.
We'll bring you more as soon as we know!
******
Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the Blackcaps' one-off Twenty20 against the Netherlands from Napier's McLean Park.
Missing 12 players to Indian Premier League duty, a newlook NZ side will take the field for the first - and final - whiteball matches of the NZ summer, with a T20 and three ODIs against the Dutch.
The Blackcaps have confirmed the pair of wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver and batting all-rounder Michael Bracewell will both make their debuts, while the rest of the Kiwi side will hope to use today's match as a chance to push their selection case for this year's T20 World Cup.
On the other hand, the Netherlands have everything to gain, expected to lose heavily across the next four fixtures, but with players like Wellington's Logan van Beek and ex-Auckland youth rep Max O'Dowd in their ranks, the Dutch will fancy their chances of turning a few heads.
The Netherlands are no easybeats, and have upset the likes of England and Bangladesh twice in Twenty20 cricket since the start of 2009.
In fact, these two sides last met in an unofficial warm-up match before last year's Twenty20 World Cup, when the near-full strength Blackcaps snuck home for a six-run victory at Dubai.
The Blackcaps haven't played an associate (non-test playing) nation since 2017, with that match coming in a tri-series against Ireland and Bangladesh. The Irish were awarded test status a month later.
TAB odds: New Zealand $1.06 Netherlands $7.80
NZ: Tom Latham (c), Doug Bracewell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Scott Kuggeleijn, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young
Netherlands: Pieter Seelaar (c), Philippe Boissevain, Bas de Leede, Aryan Dutt, Scott Edwards, Clayton Floyd, Brandon Glover, Boris Gorlee, Fred Klaasen, Ryan Klein, Stephan Myburgh, Max O'Dowd, Shariz Ahmad, Logan van Beek, Vikramjit Singh
