• Home
  • Match Hub
  • Afg Vs Nz One Off Test Wet Outfield Forces Match Officials To Abandon Second Days Play

AFG Vs NZ One-Off Test: Wet Outfield Forces Match Officials To Abandon Second Day's Play

The visuals from Greater Noida Sports Complex Stadium (X.com)The visuals from Greater Noida Sports Complex Stadium (X.com)

The much-anticipated one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand, a historic first Test between the two nations, has unfortunately been marred by issues with the playing conditions. The disappointment was palpable as Day 1 and Day 2 in Greater Noida were washed out without a single ball being bowled, leaving everyone desperate for the start of the game.

The Test was scheduled to start on Monday, but the umpires had called off the day's play due to a safety issue regarding the wet outfield. A dry day gave way to rain in the evening, further aggravating the conditions and affecting the preparations to get the ground ready for Day 2.

The game, scheduled to begin at 10 AM, was advanced to 9 AM with the hope that the conditions might improve, but the field was still not fit to start the play.



Groundsmen Do A ‘Transplant’ On Day 2

The problems were not solved as clear skies did little to improve the situation on Day 2 either. The mid-on and midwicket parts of the pitch remained problematic as the groundsmen struggled to make amends. They used bits of dry grass from the practice area and positioned three table fans around the wet areas in an attempt to quickly start the drying process. 

They dug out the soggy mid-wicket area, filling it with dry grass from the practice nets, but the patchy repairs did little to alleviate the problems. The ongoing delays in making the pitch playable have elevated the frustration of players and fans alike, who would like to see this historic clash begin.

Still, the field was anything but fit, leading to further delays, eventually the umpires decided to call off the second day as well.

AFG vs NZ: Day 3 Weather 

Things don't look too promising as Day 3 for the New Zealand vs Afghanistan clash, as it is expected to witness 40% chances of precipitation along with a thunderstorm in spots in the afternoon. Apart from this, the day will remain mostly sunny and humid.