The covered pitch due to heavy rain on the fourth day of the test match at Greater Noida Stadium.
| Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

The one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was called off on Friday (September 13, 2024) without a ball being bowled, marking only the eighth time in Test cricket history that such a situation has occurred.

The first two days of the game were cancelled because of a wet outfield, raising significant concerns about the preparedness of the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex. The remaining three days were then washed out due to persistent rain.

An inspection was held on Friday morning but with puddles of water still present on the uncovered sections of the outfield, it was a foregone conclusion that the match would be abandoned without even the toss taking place.

“It is still raining in Greater Noida and due to frequent rains, the 5th and final day of the Afghanistan vs New Zealand Test has been called off by the match officials,” the Afghanistan Cricket Board said in a statement.

Only seven matches in the history of Test cricket have been abandoned without a ball being bowled dating back to 1890. The last time it happened was almost 26 years ago, in 1998.

Incidentally, it was a match involving the Kiwis. They were scheduled to play India in Dunedin, New Zealand.

However, it is the first time such an occurrence has taken place in an Indian venue.

There had been incessant rain here for the past two weeks and the lack of facilities, like proper ground covers to spread across the 30-yard circle, sub-par drainage, lack of trained ground staff, and inadequate super-soppers, caused maximum damage.

Despite bright sunshine on the first two days, no play was possible as the umpires cited “players safety” as a concern.

The midwicket area was a particular concern. To address the issue, groundsmen brought in dry sections of grass from the practice area to “transplant” in the midwicket zone.

While the BCCI tried to assist by providing additional machinery and the Delhi Delhi & District Cricket Association and Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association helping out, it was a little too late.

Afghanistan, who were granted their Test status in 2017 and have played only nine international red-ball games before this fixture, were the hosts.

It was the first time Afghanistan, who don’t get to play too many Tests with big nations, was scheduled to take on New Zealand.

This fixture was, however, not a part of the ICC’s World Test Championship cycle.

As for the stadium, match referee Javagal Srinath’s report on the preparedness of the venue will go a long way in deciding its fate.

Fans being used to dry the wet ground before the inspection of the pitch on the second day of the Test Match at Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh on September 10, 2024
| Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

Ground staff used electric fans in a desperate bid to dry the pitch in the Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand Tuesday, but play was called off for a second straight day with one official calling it “a huge mess”.

The one-off Test at Afghanistan’s adopted home near New Delhi was supposed to start on Monday but the toss is yet to take place because of rain and the poor condition of the Greater Noida ground.

On Tuesday, groundsmen dragged out tarpaulin to cover areas of the pitch in anticipation of more rain, while others held electric fans over some of the worst wet patches.

Ground staff also dug up a wet patch — in the cover-point and mid-wicket region — and were filling it with dry soil and fresh turf.

Umpires carried out repeated inspections and finally called off play in the mid-afternoon. The venue, hosting its first Test, has only basic drainage and has been criticised for its facilities.

Soaked outfield

Despite sunshine on Tuesday the outfield remains soaked after days of monsoon rain.

The teams stayed in their hotels on Tuesday morning but New Zealand, who were unable to complete any of their training sessions ahead of the Test, later put up nets on the ground and players went through their drills.

On Monday, the New Zealand players threw rugby balls around as they waited for play, but the teams spent the morning on Tuesday marooned at their hotels.

Afghanistan have hosted several T20 and ODIs since 2017 at the venue.

‘Huge mess’

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has offered Afghanistan venues to train and host matches at outside their troubled nation, including in Lucknow and Dehradun.

Lucknow and Dehradun were preferred options for this Test by Afghanistan, but those grounds were busy with local leagues.

The press box at Greater Noida was initially an open-sided tent with a rug and chairs, without internet or power, but were shifted after complaints.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials have been cautious about criticism, fearing it could spoil relations with the BCCI, but said they were disappointed.

“This is a huge mess. We are never coming back here,” an ACB official was quoted as saying by one news organisation.

It is only Afghanistan’s 10th Test match.

There has been no public reaction from Tim Southee’s New Zealand side, who will next travel to Sri Lanka for two Tests before returning for three more against India.