The one-off Check between New Zealand and Afghanistan on the Higher Noida Sports activities Advanced has been referred to as off with no ball being bowled after rain taking part in spoilsport within the final couple of days. Apparently, the poor floor circumstances got here underneath scrutiny within the first-ever Check hosted on the venue.
The on-field umpires referred to as off the sport on the fifth day of the Check after persistent rain was witnessed within the morning on Friday. The local weather was predicted to be gloomy from the primary day of the Check itself and it turned out to be true. That is the first-ever Check since 1998 {that a} recreation was washed off with no motion all through the 5 days. The final incidence was in a Check between Pakistan and Zimbabwe in Dunedin in 1998.
Whereas the rain paused after the primary day, the bottom wasn’t ready in due time for play to happen. There have been puddles across the outfield and some components close to the strips had been patchy. Visuals of the groundstaff utilizing followers and different means to dry the areas went viral on the second and third days of the sport when the solar was distinguished. The one time when the Kiwis obtained into motion was throughout a web session that caught the eye of some followers.
Afghanistan are scheduled to play three ODIs in opposition to South Africa in Sharjah subsequent. In the meantime, New Zealand can be taking part in a few Checks in opposition to Sri Lanka which are part of the World Check Championship earlier than welcoming England throughout their cricketing summer season in December.