Afghanistan vs New Zealand match abandoned: Jonathan Trott questions scheduling of Test match, laments about Greater Noida Sports Complex

At 8:42 am on Friday, as the rains returned and soaked uncovered parts of the outfield at the Greater Noida Sports Complex, a bit of history was created. Not the kind to be proud of. The first-ever Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was abandoned without a ball being bowled, the first time this has happened since 1998.

A combination of inclement weather, poor drainage facilities, shortage of ground staff and an ill-equipped stadium resulted in both teams not being able to step onto the field. It didn’t rain during match hours on the first two days and the sun came out yet not a single delivery could be bowled at the stadium.

Afghanistan cricket head coach Jonathan Trott expressed his disappointment over the scheduling of the one-off against New Zealand and also lamented about the condition of the ground.

The one-off Test against Afghanistan has officially been called off early on day five following further rain in Noida.

The Test squad will relocate to Sri Lanka tomorrow ahead of the two-Test WTC series in Galle starting Weds, Sept 18 – Live in NZ on @skysportnz #AFGvNZ #SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/IyfPdvlwMN

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 13, 2024

“In terms of facilities, we are obviously disappointed that we haven’t been able to play,” Trott told reporters. “To try and play a Test match this time of year is always tricky. We were very excited to play against New Zealand and put ourselves up against the challenge. We had played warm-up games and matches and got ourselves accustomed to the conditions and weather, which is very unique here. Unfortunately, the weather has played its part and it’s made it difficult for us to get a game and we’re very disappointed,” he added.

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead echoed Trott’s sentiments as their side failed to get the much-needed match practice ahead of their five World Test Championships (WTC) matches against Sri Lanka and India.

“It’s frustrating for us,” Stead said. “It was our first Test match against Afghanistan and we were really excited about that as well. They’ve been great competitors of ours over the last few World Cups as well.”

It was the first time in this century and overall eight instances, where a Test match has been called off without a ball being bowled. The last time an entire Test match was washed out was in December 1998, when New Zealand hosted India in Dunedin.

Gary Stead said the umpires deemed the outfield “unfit to play” on the first two days of the match and that’s the reason despite it remaining sunny throughout, not a single ball was bowled.

Afghanistan and New Zealand Head Coaches addressed a press conference after the abandonment of the One-Off Test. While they expressed disappointment with the outcome of the game, both coaches shared optimism for more bilateral cricket between the two sides in the future.#AFGvNZ pic.twitter.com/cwOEm4h2nx

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 13, 2024

“Even though it was fine for those two days, there were thunderstorms the nights before and the ground was just too soft and the umpires deemed that unfit to play on,” he said.

In a desperate attempt to dry the outfield, the groundsmen came up with different ideas in the past five days, but none worked. Electric fans were out again in an attempt to dry the wettest patches. Sawdust and sandbags were put on the run-up areas at both ends. Two water pumps were put to work to remove the water from the ground. On Friday morning, a couple of ground staff slipped while removing the covers at the water-logged stadium, after the match was abandoned. Once the ground staff were done peeling off the two layers of covers from the outfield and pitch, white swans took over .

Focus on WTC

New Zealand will now turn their attention towards the five WTC matches, they are going to play against Sri Lanka and India in the span of eight weeks.

“The most disappointing part for us is that we’ve lost that ability to be match-hardened and match-ready when we go into our Test match next week,” said Stead.

The highly anticipated #AFGvNZ Test match was called off without a ball being bowled due to persistent rains in Greater Noida.

While the inaugural #AFGvNZ Test didn’t proceed as expected, #AfghanAtalan look forward to engaging in more bilateral cricket with @BLACKCAPS in future. pic.twitter.com/zSVE5Hn2cF

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 13, 2024

One permanent venue

Trott batted for one fixed venue for Afghanistan in the near future.

“I think if you have one fixed venue, then you can iron out the issues that arise. But I think this is maybe a result of not having played a lot of Test cricket in the past and still trying to find a venue that we can use consistently,” he said.

Since getting their Test status in 2017, Afghanistan have played only nine international red-ball games before this fixture. But in the current FTP – from 2023 to 2027 Afghanistan is slated to play 22 Tests and Trot expects his team to work on their red ball game.

“I don’t think enough red ball cricket is played in Afghanistan. But again we are very new to the format” he said.

“I think facility-wise, it may be the issue but the passion is certainly there. It’s about now being able to match the passion with the ability to allow the players to enhance and get better at this format of the game. I want to see Afghanistan have the same sort of passion and desire in the red ball as much as it is in the white ball. I think it’s attainable, but like anything, it’s going to take time and it’s going to take a lot of effort, it’s going to take a lot of communication between the management and the players and coaches.”

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