Test Afghanistan-New Zealand in Noida to be saved by electric fans; match for second day cancelled

Fans are deployed to dry the wet ground before the pitch inspection on the second day of the Test match at Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh on September 10, 2024 | Image credit: RV Moorthy

During Tuesday's friendly match between Afghanistan and New Zealand, ground staff used electric fans in a desperate attempt to dry the pitch, but play was abandoned for the second day in a row, with one official describing it as a “huge mess”.

The one-off Test in Afghanistan's adopted homeland near New Delhi was scheduled to begin on Monday, but rain and the poor condition of the pitch in Greater Noida meant the coin toss could not be carried out yet.

On Tuesday, groundskeepers pulled out tarpaulins to cover parts of the pitch as they expected more rain, while others held electric fans over the wettest spots.

The ground staff also dug up a wet spot – in the area of ​​the cover points and mid-wickets – and filled it with dry soil and fresh turf.

Groundsmen cover the pitch on the second day of the Test match at Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh on September 10, 2024. | Photo credit: RV Moorthy

Umpires made repeated inspections and eventually abandoned play in the afternoon. The venue for the first Test has only basic drainage and has been criticised for its facilities.

Soaked outfield

Despite sunshine on Tuesday, the outfield is still soaked after days of monsoon rain.

The teams remained in their hotels on Tuesday morning, but New Zealand, which was unable to complete any of its training sessions before the Test, later set up nets on the ground and the players completed their drills.

On Monday, New Zealand players threw rugby balls to each other while waiting for the game, but the teams spent Tuesday morning stranded in their hotels.

Afghanistan has hosted several T20 and ODI matches at this venue since 2017.

“Huge chaos”

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has offered Afghanistan training and match venues outside the crisis-ridden country, including in Lucknow and Dehradun.

Kane Williamson and Vikram Rathour at the practice nets in Noida | Photo credit: RV Moorthy

Lucknow and Dehradun were Afghanistan's preferred options for this Test, but the grounds there were occupied by the local leagues.

The press box in Greater Noida was originally an open tent with a carpet and chairs, without internet or electricity, but was relocated after complaints.

Representatives of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) are cautious about the criticism, fearing it could strain relations with the BCCI, but expressed their disappointment.

“This is a huge mess. We are never coming back here,” an ACB official was quoted as saying by a news organization.

It is only Afghanistan's 10th friendly match.

There has been no public reaction from Tim Southee's New Zealand side. The team will next travel to Sri Lanka for two Tests before returning for three more against India.