The State Twenty20 match between Otago and Auckland scheduled to be played at Oamaru on Friday has been moved to Dunedin's the University Oval.
The late change has been jointly agreed by New Zealand, Otago and North Otago Cricket after extreme temperatures over the past three days drew all moisture from the pitch.
Wth rain forecast for the next three or four days, tity's been agreed there's no way the pitch could have been safely re-hydrated and a quality surface guaranteed.
Otago Cricket chief executive Ross Dykes, says the Twenty20 competition is a premier event and it is essential all matches are played on the best possible surfaces.
Dykes says it's extremely unfortunate as North Otago had worked hard to promote the game.
He says because the Highlanders open their Super 14 season at Carisbrook on Friday evening the cricket will start at 4pm to avoid any clash.
