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NEW DELHI: The one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand faced another setback on Tuesday as play was called off for the second day in a row due to an unplayable pitch.
Ground staff made extensive efforts to dry the pitch, using electric fans and tarpaulins, but the conditions remained poor at the Greater Noida ground.
The Test, which was supposed to start on Monday, has not even seen the toss take place because of continued rain and the saturated condition of the field.
Despite sunny weather on both Monday and Tuesday, the outfield stayed soaked due to days of monsoon rain before the match.
On Tuesday, umpires made several inspections before deciding to call off the play in the mid-afternoon. Ground staff removed wet patches from the outfield by digging them up, refilling them with dry soil, and laying new turf.
The Greater Noida venue is hosting its first Test and has faced criticism for its lack of proper drainage.
New Zealand’s team, having not been able to complete pre-match training due to the rain, engaged in workouts with nets set up on the ground. There has been no public comment from the New Zealand side regarding the situation.
Afghanistan, which gained Test status in 2017, has played several one-day and Twenty20 internationals at Greater Noida.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has provided Afghanistan with venues for training and matches due to instability in their own country, including locations like Lucknow and Dehradun. However, the options were unavailable for this Test due to local league commitments.
Despite the efforts to improve its press facilities, complaints about the Greater Noida venue’s condition persisted.
Initially, the press box was an open-sided tent without internet or power, but it was later relocated following complaints.
New Zealand will next play two Tests in Sri Lanka before returning to India for three more Test matches.
Ground staff made extensive efforts to dry the pitch, using electric fans and tarpaulins, but the conditions remained poor at the Greater Noida ground.
The Test, which was supposed to start on Monday, has not even seen the toss take place because of continued rain and the saturated condition of the field.
Despite sunny weather on both Monday and Tuesday, the outfield stayed soaked due to days of monsoon rain before the match.
On Tuesday, umpires made several inspections before deciding to call off the play in the mid-afternoon. Ground staff removed wet patches from the outfield by digging them up, refilling them with dry soil, and laying new turf.
The Greater Noida venue is hosting its first Test and has faced criticism for its lack of proper drainage.
New Zealand’s team, having not been able to complete pre-match training due to the rain, engaged in workouts with nets set up on the ground. There has been no public comment from the New Zealand side regarding the situation.
Afghanistan, which gained Test status in 2017, has played several one-day and Twenty20 internationals at Greater Noida.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has provided Afghanistan with venues for training and matches due to instability in their own country, including locations like Lucknow and Dehradun. However, the options were unavailable for this Test due to local league commitments.
Despite the efforts to improve its press facilities, complaints about the Greater Noida venue’s condition persisted.
Initially, the press box was an open-sided tent without internet or power, but it was later relocated following complaints.
New Zealand will next play two Tests in Sri Lanka before returning to India for three more Test matches.
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