The one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand at Greater Noida has been marred by relentless rain, resulting in the cancellation of play for the fourth consecutive day. With over 1200 mm of rainfall recorded in just seven days, the match is on the brink of being completely abandoned without a single ball being bowled, a situation not seen in Test cricket since 1998.
Rain Disrupts Historic Match
The test, which marks Afghanistan‘s first encounter with New Zealand in the Test format, has faced significant challenges due to the weather. Officials announced that the conditions were deemed unplayable, with the outfield saturated and no prospect of improvement. “The scale of rainfall has made it absolutely impossible for cricket today,” stated a broadcaster. The umpires are expected to make a final decision on the match’s status early tomorrow morning, but the outlook remains grim.
This match is particularly significant for Afghanistan, as it is their tenth Test since gaining Test status from the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2017. The choice of Greater Noida as a venue has come under scrutiny, with many questioning the decision to host a Test match during the monsoon season. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) opted for this location due to logistical advantages, despite being offered more established venues in Kanpur and Bengaluru.
Criticism of Venue Conditions
Critics have pointed to the inadequate facilities at the Greater Noida Sports Complex, which lacks proper drainage and has been unable to cope with the heavy rainfall. Ground staff have made desperate attempts to prepare the field, using electric fans and even digging up wet areas to replace them with dry soil. Despite these efforts, the conditions have remained unsuitable for play.
The situation has drawn parallels to past instances where matches have been abandoned without a ball being bowled, highlighting the need for better planning and infrastructure for hosting international cricket. The last such occurrence was in 1998 when a Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan was called off in Dunedin.
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New Zealand, currently facing these adverse conditions, is scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka for a two-Test series following this match. They will return to India for three Tests starting October 16 in Bengaluru. The Kiwis, who have not yet been able to train effectively due to the rain, are keen to gain valuable match experience in the subcontinent, especially against spin bowling, which has historically challenged their batting lineup.
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