New Zealand's tour match called off

Sydney   New Zealand's tour match against the Cricket Australia XI was abandoned on Friday on concerns over the state of the pitch in Sydney.

Stumps were drawn by the umpires during the lunch interval on day two of the three-day game at Blacktown after the CA XI declared their first innings at 503 for one.

The Black Caps had been due to bat in reply in their final warm-up ahead of the first Test against Australia, starting in Brisbane on November 5.

The surprise abandonment seriously disrupts New Zealand's preparations for the Test series opener as they were looking to gain valuable batting practice with a near full-strength line-up.

The Black Caps did not bowl any of their pace bowlers in the opening session on day two.

The CA XI declared their first innings closed shortly before the scheduled lunch interval after Aaron Finch, 288 not out, and Ryan Carters (209) set a record for an opening partnership for a first-class match in Australia.

The stand surpassed the previous record of 456 set in the 1923-24 season by Victoria's Bill Ponsford and Edgar Mayne against Queensland at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

CA are yet to officially comment on the abandonment amid reports the wicket had become "dangerous".

The match was originally scheduled as a four-day fixture before it was reduced to three days earlier this week so New Zealand could travel to Brisbane for the first Test earlier than originally planned.