Down 0-1 in the three-match Test series against India, New Zealand are in for more trouble after it was revealed the track at McLean Park, Napier, venue for the second Test scheduled to start from March 26, has been infected by fungus.
A fungal disease has affected the grass on the pitch, causing small patches to die off.
A New Zealand Cricket spokesman admitted there were issues surrounding the state of the pitch and that the curators had been working on the block, 'New Zealand Herald' reported.
With the pitch not up to standard, curators have not shifted their attention on an adjacent strip.
"The Test strip was reseeded after the West Indies match, but the regrowth has been subject to a small amount of fungal disease," the NZC spokesman was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
"The impact is mainly cosmetic. The groundsman has moved the strip slightly to one side so that the affected areas are well outside the playing zone. The grass cover is consistent and NZC is confident the strip will be in top condition," he added.
However, he said no thought was given to moving the Test from Napier.