September 8, 2024 was the scheduled start date of the one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand, which is not part of the 2023–25 World Test Championship cycle. Due to an odd reason, not a single ball has been bowled after two days.
Since the drainage system at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground isn’t up to par with international standards, water buildup from the recent, heavy rains has prevented even the toss from being completed.
The groundskeepers used portable electric fans to try to dry up the outfield in a frantic attempt to get the field ready for play to start. They deployed the fans across the outfield. In case it rains more, the ground crew was also seen extending red tarpaulin sheets to cover particular sections of the field.
Since the drainage system at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground isn’t up to par with international standards
To the dismay of spectators and especially the Afghanistan team, who would have been eager to start their 10th Test in their adopted country, the on-field umpires declared the pitch unfit for play to begin after performing several inspections during the day.
This place is a complete disaster, and we will not be returning: An ACB representative
The state of the ground and the lack of readiness of the team in charge of maintaining it were the subjects of a criticism that came from an official of the Aghanistan Cricket Board( ACB).
“We’re never coming back here because of this enormous mess. The facilities here also don’t sit well with the players. An ACB representative said, “We had communicated with the concerned parties well in advance and were given the go-ahead by the stadium staff that everything will be in order (with regard to the media facilities).”
Nothing has altered since our arrival. It hasn’t changed all that much,” said another.
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The pitch crew took extreme measures by excavating damp areas in the midwicket and cover-point areas and replacing them with dry soil and newly laid turf.
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