AFG VS NZ ONE OFF TEST

Right then, history has been created in Greater Noida, not quite the way one would have intended it to but this game between Afghanistan and New Zealand is the first Test of the 21st century to be abandoned without a ball being bowled and the Kiwis have now been a part of 3 out of the 8 such abandoned Tests. Anyway, it is time for both teams to move on as they will be in action soon. Afghanistan will now head to Sharjah as they host South Africa for a three-match ODI series beginning on the 18th of September. New Zealand will continue their subcontinental tour as they head to Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series, which will also start on the 18th of September. You can switch tabs and check the complete schedule and tune in to our coverage on matchday as well. Till then, take care and goodbye!

The broadcasters do come live for a few minutes to re-confirm the news and it is such a shame and the visuals from the ground show how much water there still is on the covers and on the outfield as well. There was never really any chance of play once the first two days were abandoned even when the sun was out during the time of play. Heavy and persistent rain on the morning of Day 3 really sealed the fate of this game and neither of the teams nor the fans will be pleased to see such a fate of a Test match.

UPDATE - 3.15 am GMT - It is now official and the final day of the Test match has also been called off due to rain which means, this becomes the 8th Test match in history to be ABANDONED WITHOUT A BALL BEING BOWLED as confirmed by the Afghanistan Cricket Board. The broadcasters gave an indication on Day 4 that it was inevitable and the wait for the final day would just be a formality and unfortunately, the players and the fans go home empty-handed. Stay tuned as we might get to hear from the broadcasters and from the teams as well pretty soon.

Hello and welcome back folks! It is Day 5 of the One-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand in Greater Noida and we haven't had any play at all on the first four days of the game. Also, once again there has been overnight rain which means we should be bracing ourselves for an official confirmation pretty soon which might be made at 3.30 am GMT, in about half an hour. So, stick around as we bring you the latest updates.

... DAY 5, SESSION 1 ...

UPDATE - 3.45 am GMT - The broadcasters are now live and they inform that there won't be any play possible on Day 4 and they will come back on Day 5 but also inform that in all likeness the news on Day 5 will be that the Test match will be abandoned. This means that once everything is confirmed on day 5, it will be the eighth Test match in history to be abandoned without a single ball being bowled. Incidentally, the last such instance also involved New Zealand as their Test match against India was abandoned in Dunedin in 1998. Anyway, the broadcasters show that they will be live at 3.40 am GMT on Friday which is Day 5 of the Test match and we can expect an official announcement about the play being called off which is such a shame. Do join us from 3 am GMT for the build-up and until then, take care and goodbye!

UPDATE - 3.30 am GMT - The news from the ground is that all the repair work we saw happening on Day 2 was completed but unfortunately, it has started to drizzle at the venue right now. The weather forecast isn't the best for the remaining two days and it looks like we are in for another long delay at the start of Day 4. Stay tuned for further updates regarding the state of play.

After the first two days were called off due to the outfield being unfit for any play, Day 3 was abandoned pretty early due to persistent rains. There isn't any rain currently at the venue but there was some overnight rain which means we will have another delay to begin Day 4 and the overhead conditions aren't promising either. Stick around as we bring you the latest updates from the ground.

Hello and welcome everyone to our coverage of the One-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand from Greater Noida. We have had three days fly by in the game and there's been no action and it looks like we won't have any action soon on Day 4 either.

... DAY 4, SESSION 1 ...

UPDATE - 3.50 am GMT - Well people, it is a quick decision and Day 3 has been called off due to rain. Given what we saw on the first two days with clear weather and yet, the outfield was unable to get ready for play, so, with rain still pouring down, there seems to be no chance that the ground would get ready for any play today. The broadcasters have confirmed the news and it looks like the beginning of the end for this Test match. Do join us on Thursday for Day 4 scheduled to start at 4 am GMT with our coverage beginning an hour in advance as usual but if there is any decision taken regarding the fate of this Test match prior to that, we will surely update the same. Till then, take care and goodbye!

UPDATE - 3.35 am GMT -  The toss that was scheduled to take place at 3.30 am GMT, has been delayed. A bad news to start the day folks. It's raining at the moment in Greater Noida. So, get ready because it's going to be another that sort of day where we keep waiting for some positive update from the venue. It has been a damp start to this Test match. In fact, there hasn't been a start at all due to the wet conditions in Greater Noida. No play has been possible on the first two days. There was no rain throughout the two days but no play was possible due to the wet outfield, caused by overnight rain.

After the first 2 days of the Test match were called off due to wet ground conditions, we are now waiting for the start of the Test match on day 3 assuming that the ground conditions are favorable for the start of play. Both Afghanistan and New Zealand camps want to get out on the field and play a good brand of cricket as this is the only test match in the series. The ground staff and the Umpires will keep an eye on the playing conditions again before the Toss and other formalities and decide the start of play. Let's hope we see some action from both sides today. With three days left to play the Test match, the toss is going to play a huge favor in the outcome of the match. Stay tuned for Toss and other Match updates.

... DAY 3, FIRST SESSION ...

UPDATE - 9.34 am GMT - The news all of us dreaded from the start of Day 2 is here! Play has been abandoned on Day 2 as well and after two days, we haven't even had the toss even after there being sunshine for most part of the play timings. The evening and overnight rains have been key and the outfield simply isn't fit to play cricket and neither side would want to risk their players. There's not much anyone can do apart from hope that there is no further overnight rain and we are able to kick off the Test match on Day 3. Day 3 will officially start at 4 am GMT but you can join us an hour in advance for the build-up and the latest playing conditions. Cheers!

UPDATE - 9.30 am GMT - The umpires are out for their inspection as the Kiwis continue their batting net practice on one side of the pitch. We should have some official news soon, so, don't go anywhere. Also, both teams are now at the venue it is a warm and muggy afternoon in Greater Noida but the prospect of play on Day 2 seems bleak.

UPDATE - 8.30 am GMT - We are still quite some time away from the inspection. It is quite disappointing that despite all the sunshine we have had, the ground is still not ready but a few of the Kiwi players have set up their net practice and have been going at it for about an hour. Also, in other cricketing news, Rinku Singh is all set to join the India B side for the next round of Duleep Trophy fixtures. With a lot of players joining the national team for the upcoming Bangladesh series, Sarfaraz Khan is an exception who will feature in the next round of the Duleep Trophy starting on September 12.

UPDATE - 7.15 am GMT - The relaying of the surface we talked about early on was actual pieces of turf cut out from the net practice area. The ground staff dug a few square patches in the area of concern and stitched the grass from the practice area in that region. This seems to be the very first time we are seeing something like this. Also, it seems that the New Zealand team has arrived at the venue and at this very moment there are more than a few people on the field as the sun continues to shine on the ground.

UPDATE - 6.32 am GMT - Right then, the official was scheduled for 6.30 am but we have further bad news now as another inspection is scheduled for 9.30 am GMT which is almost 3 hours away and the teams are still in their hotels. Also, there are some covers and rags besides the pitch now which means that the ground staff anticipate a spell of rain. With every passing update, chances of play on Day 2 start getting bleaker and bleaker. Let's hope for the best now as we bring you the latest updates from the ground.

UPDATE - 5.45 am GMT - We are still three-quarters of an hour away from the official inspection but things certainly seem to be heading in a positive direction thus far. The sun is still out and the ground staff are working around the clock to get that one huge patch of turf fixed. Stick around for further developments regarding the start of play.