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'This is a new level': Cricket world erupts over extraordinary photo

The Plunket Shield match between Wellington and Canterbury at Basin Reserve on a green deck (pictured left) and  played on a green wicket, which saw the Wellington Firebirds (pictured right) and Andrew Fletcher (pictured right) being bowled.
The Plunket Shield match between Wellington and Canterbury at Basin Reserve (pictured left) was played on a green wicket, which saw the Wellington Firebirds (pictured right) rolled for 65. (Images: NZC/Getty Images)

The cricket community is gobsmacked after a match in New Zealand was played on an extraordinary green pitch that needs to be seen to be believed.

Canterbury won the toss in the four-day match against the Wellington Firebirds and elected to bowl.

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While most captains would rarely opt to bowl first, this was no ordinary decision.

Images from the Plunket Shield show a bowler’s dream with the pitch hard to distinguish from the green grass of the field.

To justify the call, the Firebirds were rolled for a measly 65 in the first innings.

Looking at the state of the pitch many could be forgiven to suggest 65 is around par.

While others were just flabbergasted at just how much grass was on the New Zealand deck.

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Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum even quipped it would be swing or miss on the green deck.

While others suggested the bowlers would be lining up to throw down the Kookaburra.

Things stared perfectly fine for the Firebirds, at 2-51 after 22 overs.

But a shocking collapse of 8-14 finished the innings.

Just as astonishing was the fact Devon Conway top scored with 31 runs, while there were 13 extras bowled.

However, despite the pitch appearing to be a nightmare for batsman, Canterbury were cruising at 3-109 in their first innings at stumps on the opening day.

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