View of the Greater Noida cricket stadium with the pitch covered in tarpaulins
In an unprecedented turn of events, the one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand in Greater Noida, India, has been completely washed out, with not a single ball bowled across the scheduled five days. This historic abandonment, caused by unrelenting rain, marks the first time a men’s Test in India has been cancelled due to weather.
The match became just the eighth instance in men’s Test cricket history to be abandoned without any play. Days three, four, and five of the match were particularly plagued by heavy overnight rains, leaving the outfield unplayable and forcing the umpires to call off the entire Test.
A Rare Occurrence in Test Cricket
The last time such a scenario occurred in men’s Test cricket was in 1998 when New Zealand faced India in Dunedin. The Greater Noida washout now joins a small list of Test matches in which fans and players alike have been denied the thrill of even a single delivery.
New Zealand, eager to sharpen their skills ahead of a busy schedule, will now shift their focus to the upcoming two-test series against Sri Lanka later this month. They will return to India for a three-test series in October before hosting England for another three-test series across November and December.
Men’s Test Matches Abandoned Without a Ball Bowled
- England vs Australia – Manchester, 1890
- England vs Australia – Manchester, 1938
- Australia vs England – Melbourne, 1970
- New Zealand vs Pakistan – Dunedin, 1989
- West Indies vs England – Georgetown, 1990
- Pakistan vs Zimbabwe – Faisalabad, 1998
- New Zealand vs India – Dunedin, 1998
- Afghanistan vs New Zealand – Greater Noida, 2024
For cricket fans, this cancellation reminds them of nature’s unpredictability and impact on the sport. While teams adjust their preparations, the abandonment has fueled conversations on the increasing frequency of weather disruptions in international cricket.
Also Read This: Nissanka’s Century Leads Sri Lanka to Victory Over England
New Zealand’s cricketing calendar remains packed, with the team set to regroup for their next challenge on the road to the World Test Championship. Stay tuned for further updates as the Black Caps gear up for their next Test series against Sri Lanka.
