The one-off Test match between New Zealand and Afghanistan at Greater Noida is close to being a total bust. Rain has been falling nonstop for the past four days, forcing officials to call off play before a ball has been bowled.
Afghanistan was scheduled to take part in its tenth test since achieving Full Member status in 2017. In a way, it was also New Zealand’s opening match on a lengthy subcontinent tour that includes Test matches against Sri Lanka and India. But nature had other ideas. In the last week alone, nearly 1200 mm of rain fell, making the stage unusable for play during the first act.
The outfield is now submerged in water due to the extraordinary amount of rainfall. The majority of the ground is covered in covers, but these haven’t stopped water from seeping onto the playing field and creating puddles that eliminate any chance of play. Both teams’ players have stayed inside their hotels.
The last time a match was abandoned before a ball was bowled was during the IND vs. NZ 1998 Test.
Three times in the last ten years, matches between Bangladesh and South Africa, India and the West Indies, and South Africa and Bangladesh have had their play abandoned for four days. The current state of affairs in Greater Noida, however, poses a threat to become a member of an even more exclusive club, since in the history of men’s cricket, only seven Test matches have been called off without a ball being bowled, with the final one taking place in Dunedin, New Zealand, in 1998.
The Test’s possible cancellation raises important concerns regarding venue selection and readiness. Greater Noida was the nearest venue to Kabul, hence Afghanistan, the host country, selected this location based on practical reasons. The incapacity to adequately combat the elements has, however, drawn heavy criticism over the decision-making process and the difficulties involved in staging international cricket matches in areas vulnerable to severe weather.
Also Read: Afghanistan discusses plans for domestic cricket during the most recent ACC meeting in Kuala Lumpur
Looking ahead, the subcontinent tour of New Zealand will play two Tests in Sri Lanka and three in India. In contrast to the Greater Noida encounter that was impacted by weather, the next games will be a part of the World Test Championship(WTC).
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