Max cricket promoter Martin Crowe said Sky Television was disappointed both Shell Super league semi-finals had to be played in Christchurch during the weekend.

New Zealand Cricket ruled that both semi-finals would be played at Jade Stadium (Lancaster Park) after problems with finding a home night venue when Auckland and Wellington were to meet.

Lights are being installed at Eden Park this season, while the new sports stadium in Wellington will have lights by the end of next year.

``Sky was certainly disappointed that a neutral venue had to be used, which no doubt affected the crowd size,''Crowe said.

An option had been considered to play the first qualifier (Canterbury) against third-ranked Auckland, while second-ranked Wellington would have met Central Districts, which finished fourth, at Napier on Friday night which has floodlights.

``That would have given the game a home venue.'' NZC decided against that, believing the competition's credibility was at stake by maintaining the draw of 1 v 4 and 2 v 3.

Crowe declined to enter the debate over whether NZC was fair in ruling Canterbury's test players could not play in its semi-final on Sunday by having the test team assemble on Saturday for Friday's match against India at Dunedin.

He felt the crowd for the Canterbury game, approaching 1000, was a little down on what might have been expected and questioned the ticket prices, especially the family pass of $25. At other venues, Napier charged $15 for a family pass and Dunedin $20. Crowe said the game continues to rate well on television, ensuring its future.

Crowe said Auckland takes the $7500 at stake for third and Central Districts the $5000 for fourth by virtue of their finishing positions in the round-robin contest. Canterbury and Wellington play in Friday night's final with the purse of $25,000 for the winner and $12,500 for runner-up.