Persistent rain forced the abandonment of the first day's play of the first cricket Test between New Zealand and Pakistan at Hagley Oval here Thursday. Play had been expected to begin at 1100 (2200 GMT), but heavy rain overnight ensured it did not begin as scheduled. While ground-staff, who had said earlier they would need two hours to prepare the venue once rain stopped, worked to prepare the ground during brief interludes of fine weather throughout the day, umpires decided at their second pitch inspection at 1600 there was no chance of any play. Both teams had turned up before the scheduled lunch break at 1300 and even begun warming up but they were forced off due to consistent showers sweeping across the ground. The weather is expected to clear Friday and remain fine for the remainder of the match. Play will start half an hour earlier than scheduled on the second day, when the toss will be made. A massive earthquake that jolted central New Zealand on Monday has taken some of the focus off the beginning of the host country's test cricket season. New Zealand's Kane Williamson is making his home bow as captain having succeeded Brendon McCullum, who retired from international cricket following the test against Australia on the same ground in February. Australia calls on Hohns, Chappell to fix crisis Trevor Hohns was Thursday appointed Australia's interim chairman of selectors after Rod Marsh quit, with Greg Chappell drafted in to help rescue a national team in crisis. The experienced Hohns, who previously served as chief selector during a hugely successful period for Australia, currently sits on the four-man selection panel with Mark Waugh, coach Darren Lehmann, and now Chappell. Cricket Australia chairman David Peever said Hohns had agreed to step up to ensure continuity while the search for a full-time replacement was carried out. "It is vital that Australian cricket finds the best candidate for this role," said Peever. "Trevor is highly experienced as a selector, and will ensure we place our best players on the field this summer while we seek a permanent replacement for Rod." Former Test fast bowler Jason Gillespie and ex-captains Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh have all been touted as possible successors to Marsh. The retired wicketkeeper resigned on Wednesday with immediate effect after a run of five heavy Test defeats left the team humiliated and facing demands for heads to roll. The last time Australia lost six straight Tests — against India and England in 2013 — the coach at the time, Mickey Arthur, was sacked. Lehmann has declared that only four players — captain Steve Smith, David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood — were sure to keep their places after Australia's second demoralizing collapse in the Hobart Test this week.
