New Zealand's cricket authorities were trying to extricate themselves from an embarrassingly sticky situation yesterday in the wake of revelations that eight gallons of wood glue had been sprayed on to the Eden Park pitch prior to the first Test against South Africa, which ended yesterday in a draw.
Auckland officials, terrified that a substandard surface might prove to be dangerous, sprayed on the glue to prevent it from cracking, but their solution had drastic consequences.
It has been suggested that batsmen have seemed fastened to the crease but for once the cliche could be used literally. Darryl Cullinan made a South Africa record score of 275 and New Zealand's number 11, Geoff Allott, resisted 77 deliveries and 101 minutes without scoring in a tiresome drawn game which saw only 18 wickets fall for more than 1,200 runs.
Auckland Cricket's chief executive Lindsay Crocker said: "It was a great shame that we had to use an artificial substance in order to maintain the integrity of the surface. It changes the game from a test of skills to a test of concentration and patience, not only for the players but for everyone. Unfortunately the `alternative' option would have been worse."
Pressure had been resisted to switch the Test from Eden Park because of the poor condition of the square, which had been afflicted by a fungus and was still suffering from the after-effects of the rugby season.
Glue was last used at Eden Park 10 years ago although it is a more common practice in Christchurch, where the second Test will be played. On a glued pitch there two seasons ago Canterbury scored a New Zealand domestic record, 777, against Otago.
South Africa hoped to dismiss New Zealand yesterday but managed only a wicket in each session as New Zealand finished on 244 for three.
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