'First time on Indian soil': Why Afghanistan-NZ Test was abandoned without a ball being bowled

The one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand in Greater Noida was called off on Friday without a ball being bowled due to rains and wet outfield, causing much embarrassment to Indian cricket.

It was the first time that a Test was abandoned without any play on Indian soil, and only the eighth instance of a match being abandoned thus in the history of Test cricket.

It was the first time Afghanistan were to play New Zealand in the longer format. However, the match was not part of the ICC's World Test Championship cycle.

Did rain alone play spoilsport?

There had been rain last week, but it was not the deciding factor on the first two days. In fact, the skies were clear on Tuesday, but an hour of downpour on Monday evening prevented play the next day because of wet outfield. Better and modern drainage system would have made play possible.

What steps did the groundstaff take to make play possible?

From tarpaulins and electric fans, to super soppers, the Greater Noida Authority officials tried everything to make the ground ready, but in vain.

The ground staff also brought in dry patches of grass from the practice areas to cover the wet midwicket and mid-on areas. Three table fans were employed to dry patches of grass on the offside.

Interestingly, the stadium was said to have five super soppers – three manual and two automatic – but only two were seen in use, leading to concerns over the working condition of the other three.

Tarpaulin sheets and tents (shamiyana) were used to cover the outfield. To add to the woes, lack of trained groundstaff, too, was a concern.

The BCCI, along with the Delhi & District Cricket Association and the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association, provided the machinery but it could not make the ground ready in time.

Why did Afghanistan Cricket Board choose Greater Noida?

The ACB were given three options - Kanpur, Bengaluru and Greater Noida – but they choose the last one for logistical reasons. ACB International cricket manager Menhajuddin Naz said that it has always been their home venue, since it is closer to Delhi and is well connected to Kabul.

Afghanistan played a three-day game at the venue and it had went well, Naz said. The ACB has hosted international games at this venue and in Dehradun.

A look at the past

The last time a Test match was abandoned without a ball being bowled was in 1998. Ironically, New Zealand were involved in that match too, as the Kiwis were to take on India in Dunedin. The Test was called off due to inclement weather.

The same year and on the same day, a Pakistan-Zimbabwe Test in Faisalabad was also called off due to fog.

Here are the other instances:

England vs Australia, Old Trafford, 1890

England vs Australia, Old Trafford, 1938

Australia vs England, Melbourne Cricket Ground, 1970

New Zealand vs Pakistan, Dunedin, 1989

West Indies vs England, Bourda, 1990

All eyes are now on match referee Javagal Srinath's report on the venue.