Southland Cricket Association staff attempt to clear water off a flooded Queens Park less than 24 hours before a one-day game between Otago and Auckland.

Southland Cricket Association staff this week produced an effort more defiant than a gutsy batsman's innings, or a tireless spell by a bowler into the wind.

On Wednesday Otago took on Auckland at Queens Park in Invercargill in a one-day fixture - the only Ford Trophy game scheduled in Invercargill during the 2016/17 season.

The night before any chance of play hovered at close to zero per cent.

JOHN HAWKINS/FAIRFAX NZ Otago Volts take on Auckland at Queens Park in Invercargill on Wednesday.

The Queens Park ground was flooded and rain continued to fall.

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But the determined bunch at Southland Cricket had other thoughts.

JAMES CARR/SUPPLIED A flooded Queens Park cricket ground less than 24 hours before the Otago-Auckland cricket game was played at the venue.

Up until to 11pm on Tuesday night they tried their best to mop up the lake that had developed and were back again at daylight for another crack.

Remarkably by noon the ground was in a fit state and play started.

"We had three squeegees, a super-sopper, and fair bit of spirit from the guys to get the water off the surface," Southland Cricket Association general manager Jason Domigan said.

He conceded there was a period on Tuesday afternoon when they thought they had lost the battle but struggled on.

While there was praise for the ground staff when play started on Wednesday few were really aware of the extent of the job until photos emerged of the flooded ground taken the night before.

"We were going to post the photos on Facebook [on Tuesday night] but we didn't want people thinking the cricket would be off. If people looked at [the photos] they would have thought there would be no chance."

Domigan said to get play started was not just testament to the determination showed it also highlighted the drainage at the venue was now much better.

The Invercargill City Council put extra drainage into the ground 18 months ago and the results had been pleasing, Domigan said.

"It was the first big test and it was certainly a big tick for the drainage."