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9:00 am IST: We start the day with the inevitable news -- the match has been officially abandoned! More rain and the puddles that come with it have put an end to this misery.
We have got the confirmation long before the scheduled first ball on what was supposed to be the final day of a historic Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand, hosted in India, like a friendly country making peace between two warring nations. But how things have panned out in the last five days, it might just have the opposite effect.
There's nothing more to say. I (Rudransh) would like to thank everyone who joined us throughout the five days in hope. Hopefully, we'd see these teams play a Test match soon. Hopefully, Afghanistan would get their moments in the Test sun too. And hopefully, Greater Noida would put in proper drainage system (or be a full time beach?) before hosting another game.
Hope you have a sunny rest of your day, good bye!
9:20 am local time (9:20 am IST):
It's as much as a hello as it is a goodbye from our side as the day's play has been called off once again! There has been a steady drizzle at the venue and despite the reparations made to the ground, it is in no position to host the game. You got to feel for the everyone involved, who arrive at the stadium with hope but just as quickly have to head back. At this point, it seems highly unlikely to get any cricketing action from this Test and perhaps today's fate will be suffered tomorrow as well. But do join us back, because secretly we all have at least one percent hope of a miraculous recovery of the ground and some action here. Until then, goodbye!
Right then, not even a glimmer of hope for any play today and no time is wasted here waiting for the rain to relent. Big puddles in the outfield and a consistent drizzle - all pointed towards another long day of patience and wait. However, that won't be the case as play is called off. The players head back and so will we. Goodbye and see you tomorrow as we once again convene with the hope of some cricketing action here!
The Greater Noida stadium hasn't hosted matches, being banned by BCCI. Then why is this test being played there? What was the reason for the ban in the first place? To answer all the questions, click below 👇
9:15 am local time (9:15 am IST): As unfortunate as it is, due to heavy overnight and early morning rain, Day 3's play has also been called off. The ground is entirely under covers and it's still drizzling. The forecast for the day isn't the best either. So, the hope for some play continues into Day 4 now.
9:10 am local time (9:10 am IST):
Hello everyone! Welcome to Sportskeeda's ongoing live coverage of the one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground! Bringing all the action to you from the 1st session on Day 3 will be the commentary pair of Bidipto and Maanas.
It has been a frustrating Test match so far, not so much weather-wise, but certainly in terms of the ground and its condition. But as this is a new day, we sincerely hope that both the weather and the ground stays good and ready for play!
The toss is yet to take place. Two full days have been taken out. So, it will be interesting to see what the captain who wins the toss, does! But, the idea should most definitely be to play for a win. We see so many Test matches finish in three days, hence, if there is no further interruption, nothing is over yet.
With prayers on our lips and fingers crossed, we look forward to some international cricket that Greater Noida has been craving for for the last couple of days!
This is me (Lavil Saldanha) alongside Sourabh signing off in what has been a very short session. Join us at 9:30 am tomorrow as we look for the answer of the most important question: Will there be any cricketing action in this Test? Till then, SEE YA!
So an inevitable and pretty predictable outcome in the end: Play on Day 2 has been called off due to poor conditions at the venue
Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's live coverage of the only Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand
We have seen everything happen under broad daylight at the venue, with grass being dug and replaced and table fans (not fans as in spectators) being used to dry the pitch but to no avail. Update after update we are met with disappointment and we are yet to know whether there will be cricket played in this Test or not.
Should there be cricket, you are in the right place for the ball-by-ball action but if not, I assure you you're at the right place for the latest ground updates. I (Lavil Saldanha) accompanied by my colleague, Sourabh will take you through whatever action/updates come ahead of us in this session
2:42 PM IST: So the wait continues. Nothing new to report. We await the next inspection at 3 PM but for now this is myself (Arya Sekhar Chakraborty) signing off also on behalf of my fellow commentator Darpan Tikiya. Over to the next set of commentators Lavil and Sourabh.
2pm IST: New Zealand players are having a net session on one of the centre wickets as the groundsmen continue to work on the square. The skies are clear and the next inspection is scheduled for 3pm.
Dark: "This is the longest delay I have seen in a cricket match due to wet outfield... Hope that the entire test match doesn't go like this" - We are all keeping our fingers crossed, Dark.
Jethalal: "Manish Pandey. Still remember his heroics from the 2014 IPL final." - That is indeed the correct answer, Jethalal.
By the way, 10th September is a historic date in cricket folklore. Sir Don Bradman and Sir Geoffrey Boycott played their final first class innings on this day in the years 1948 and 1986 respectively. Some well known cricketers share their birthdays today. The first is Ranjitsinhji, after whom India's marquee domestic competition Ranji Trophy was named. The other is World Cup winning captain Eoin Morgan. Also, Belinda Clark - the first batter to score a double century in ODIs. Another Indian cricketer celebrates his birthday today. Can you name him? Use the "comment" button on the top of this feed to answer.
1:20pm IST - We have been told that New Zealand team bus arrived at the venue a while back. Still no word on team Afghanistan. In case you have just joined us, the next inspection is going to be at 3pm. The skies are clear but the ground staff has been working on some damp patches on the field. There is this particularly large patch at the edge of the square, which has been dugout and is currently being restored by installing some patches of dry grass scrapped from the practice facility.
Click below for some detailed visuals of what is happening at the venue:-
1pm IST: Unfortunately, we do not have any better news to share. The groundsmen are still out there in the middle doing their work. The word is that they have been scrapping patches of grass from the practice facility and putting them on the square. By the looks of it, the teams have still not arrived at the venue. After all, we are not expected to have any play until the next inspection, which is scheduled for 3pm. What makes this turn of events more disappointing is the fact that the overhead conditions are perfect for cricket. The skies are clear and the weather feels pleasant. But alas, we have no other choice than waiting for the ground-staff to make the field fit for play before we can have any action. Let's wait together! This is Darpan Tikiya alongside Arya Sekhar Chakraborty to keep you company for the next couple of hours.
More bad news: The next inspection will be held at 3 pm local time (3 pm IST). Both teams are in their hotels and the wait for some action continues. This is me Lavil Saldanha, alongside my colleague, Arya Sekhar Chakraborty handing it over to the next set of commentators
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Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground
![[Watch] Groundsmen dig up patch of wet outfield in Noida as NZ vs AFG 2024 Test remains on hold](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/d963a-17259499738129-1920.jpg)
