Rain in Hobart led to the match being declared a no result despite the game being reduced and the Duckworth-Lewis method coming into play.

The wet and slippery conditions also led to the Zimbabwean seamer, Richard Ngarava, injuring his ankle.

Houghton feels that the players shouldn’t have been risked in the game.

“I understand the need to try and get these games on for the public and for television,” said the former international middle-order batter.

“I understand the need to try and play in slightly inclement weather to try and get a result.

“We overstepped that mark in this game. The umpires are the guys making those decisions in the middle and they seemed to think it was fit to play.

“I disagree with them. But there's not much I can do off the field.”

On Thursday the Proteas face Bangladesh in Sydney, while Zimbabwe will play against Pakistan in Perth.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport