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The decision to abandon the sixth one-day cricket international between New Zealand and South Africa has cost a luckless TAB investor a potential payout of $50,000.

The TAB confirmed in February that a bet of $18,000 had been placed on the Proteas to win the series 4-2.

TAB officials declined yesterday to confirm the identity of the mystery punter.

Master Christchurch punter Graham (Steel Balls) Bruton said ``it wasn't me''. But he was so disappointed at the match officials' decision that he would no longer punt on cricket.

Bruton confirmed he had invested $4000 at $3.10 on a 4-2 series win to the Proteas. He stood to gain $12,400, if South Africa won yesterday's game, but his hopes were dashed when the match was abandoned.

South Africa took the series, 3-2, after being in a strong position when the sixth match was called off on Tuesday, and rescheduled for yesterday.

Bruton said he was ``so disappointed'' not to get a collect. ``This is definitely the last bet that Steel Balls Bruton will have on a cricket match,'' he said.

``The South Africans had reached 249 in 48 overs on Tuesday, and New Zealand simply could not have matched that on what was a slow track.''

Bruton was more disappointed at the decision not to play the match on the reserve day yesterday.

``That's what really hurts me. Experienced commentators like Jeremy Coney said that there could have been play. I didn't even get a chance and have done my money cold. Even if they had just played a 25-over smash I would have had a hope.

``I feel it is deplorable that the ground staff have not taken greater care in looking after the bowlers' run-ups.''

But, he retained his sense of humour. ``Hell, if I was living in Wellington, I would been at the ground from midnight last night putting raincoats on the ground.''

The result was not a bad one for the TAB, bookmaker Pete Young said.

``A 3-3 tied series result would have been our best result, but only just. There was a bit of late support for the any other result option (covering draws and/or abandonments) in the series. That option was backed in to $5 in the end.''