New Zealand coach Mike Hesson slammed the pitch as "rolled mud" and "a jigsaw puzzle with half the pieces missing" after the tourists' Test preparation was disrupted with the final practice game abandoned mid-match.
In a bizarre lead in the first Test at the Gabba on Thursday, the Black Caps' clash with a Cricket Australian XI at Sydney's Blacktown International Sportspark was halted less than four sessions into the three-day game due to concerns over a deteriorating pitch.
But that was only after the CA XI declared at 1-503 with Aaron Finch, 288(no) and Ryan Carters, 209, setting a record of 503 for a first-wicket stand in Australia - breaking a mark set back in 1923-24 season by Victoria's Bill Ponsford and Edgar Mayne at the MCG.
The visitors declined to bowl their seamers on the second morning and Hesson said the Black Caps had significant reservations about batting on the wicket.
"They're unable to grow any grass here at this time of the year so it was basically like rolled mud with a little topping on it," Hesson said.
"As it dried it baked and bits started falling out of it. It was going to last for a period of time but when the second new ball came on last night once you start taking hunks out of the surface that's when it becomes unsuitable.
"We've just had two days here and haven't gained a lot out of it from a preparation point of view other than time on our feet."
Hesson was asked if it was simply a case of a disgruntled Kiwis outfit taking their bat and ball and going home, after Finch and Carters' history-making partnership.
"I think you probably need to look at the game and see what unfolded and speak to (captain) Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill, the pitch wasn't up to first class standard," Hesson said.
"Take nothing away from Aaron and Carters, they played well early on but it certainly deteriorated after that.
"I'd describe it as a jigsaw with half the pieces missing."
CA's head of cricket operations Sean Cary said in a statement: "The decision has been agreed between the two teams to abandon the match due to the wicket's deteriorating surface becoming unfit for first-class cricket.
"Preparation of the wicket was compromised by poor weather conditions in Sydney early this week."
Cary said CA was working with New Zealand Cricket to provide alternative preparation for the team ahead of the First Test."
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