It's been three days and there is still no play in Noida. © AFP
The wait continues for action to start in the one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand in Greater Noida as play was abandoned for the third day on the trot. While damp outfield due to weak drainage was the primary reason on the first two days, rain intervened on day three to force an early abandonment of the day's play. Stumps were called as early as 9.10 local time as persistent showers meant that an already devastated outfield would have no realistic chance of getting into shape today for play to begin. Aware of the circumstances, the players from both teams didn't bother traveling to the ground.
This fiasco only further brings down the image of this venue which shot to fame for the wrong reasons in 2017 when it faced a ban from the BCCI for anti-corruption concerns. Since then, no matches had been held here till this fixture. Greater Noida had witnessed relentless rains over the last week and the poor drainage system at the ground along with its foundational vulnerability meant that this was a disaster that was waiting to happen. On their part, Afghanistan, the technical hosts of the series had two other options in Kanpur and Bengaluru. but opted for Greater Noida due to logistical convenience.
Given the amount of rain witnessed on the third day to an already battered outfield, it will be a miracle if we get any play on day five, let alone day four.
The wait continues for action to start in the one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand in Greater Noida as play was abandoned for the third day on the trot. While damp outfield due to weak drainage was the primary reason on the first two days, rain intervened on day three to force an early abandonment of the day's play. Stumps were called as early as 9.10 local time as persistent showers meant that an already devastated outfield would have no realistic chance of getting into shape today for play to begin. Aware of the circumstances, the players from both teams didn't bother traveling to the ground.
This fiasco only further brings down the image of this venue which shot to fame for the wrong reasons in 2017 when it faced a ban from the BCCI for anti-corruption concerns. Since then, no matches had been held here till this fixture. Greater Noida had witnessed relentless rains over the last week and the poor drainage system at the ground along with its foundational vulnerability meant that this was a disaster that was waiting to happen. On their part, Afghanistan, the technical hosts of the series had two other options in Kanpur and Bengaluru. but opted for Greater Noida due to logistical convenience.
Given the amount of rain witnessed on the third day to an already battered outfield, it will be a miracle if we get any play on day five, let alone day four.