Afghanistan and New Zealand. (Photo Source: ACB)
The opening day of the one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand at Greater Noida was called off due wet outfield. The groundsmen worked tirelessly to start the game as soon as possible but it proved impossible. Nothing changed on Day 2 of the Test as the groundsmen began preparing the field early morning but it once again proved difficult as the infrastructure wasn’t good enough to start the game.
The workers used various methods on Day 2 but nothing worked. They used standing fans and even cut the grass of the training pitch to add to it onto the main ground but so far, none of efforts have improved the situation. The umpires have decided to inspect the ground again at 3 PM IST but it is unlikely that there will be any play at all on Day 2.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been bashed for their failure in hosting the Test match. They have hosted Afghanistan previously but this time, the rain in north India cost them their reputation. On top of that, the infrastructure in the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground has also been under scrutiny.
Also Read – Explained: Why is AFG vs NZ one-off Test not part of WTC 2023-25 cycle?
Meanwhile, New Zealand players arrived late on Day 2 of the Test. They were informed earlier in the day that the ground wasn’t ready and neither of the teams showed any urgency to arrive in the stadium. The New Zealand team arrived at around 1 PM IST and hit the ground soon after that. As per Cricbuzz, the spinners were training on one side of the ground while most of the other players were in the dressing room.
Here’s how Netizens reacted:
Not a good morning from Greater Noida! They have dug a part of the midwicket area and are trying to fix it with some dry patches of grass and soil. Something new I have seen in cricket.#AFGvNZ pic.twitter.com/46ZwYZoqmQ
— Daya sagar (@sagarqinare) September 10, 2024
India’s betrayal of Afghanistan cricket is shocking! Greater Noida Stadium isn’t even fit for street cricket.
Groundsmen patching grass from practice areas, and catering using urinal washroom taps for water! How can they treat a Test team like this? #AFGvNZ #ShameOnIndia https://t.co/qXD8pRDM4W pic.twitter.com/Se3SyENhI9
— Conflict Watch (@ConflictWatchX) September 10, 2024
Greater Noida scenes #AFGvNZ
📷 AFP/Getty pic.twitter.com/dlaptruZJC
— Sreshth Shah (@sreshthx) September 10, 2024
It’s second day of an important test Match but no toss yet. Just watch the ground’s situation it’s absolutely hilarious. This is never an international match stadium. Poor and worst stadium we have ever seen Greater Noida…😞💔 pic.twitter.com/mV24uemNPG
— Nasro Salik (@NasroSalik) September 10, 2024
Ok so catering here at Greater Noida stadium is using urinal washroom
Water tap for their water needs 😯
very hygienic 👍#AFGvNZ TEST #afgvsnz test #gnoidastadium pic.twitter.com/VCWVA5r2vv— Nitin K Srivastav (@Nitin_sachin) September 10, 2024
Groundsmen have dug up a wet patch that was a pain point yesterday. Must not have helped that it poured last night in Greater Noida…#AFGvNZ pic.twitter.com/80x5EIS3dg
— Pratyush Sinha (@prat1204) September 10, 2024
Ok so catering here at Greater Noida stadium is using urinal washroom Water tap for their water needs 😯 very hygienic 📷👍#AFGvNZ TEST pic.twitter.com/VeHmqmaOWz
— Oldhood Humour (@OldhoodHumour) September 10, 2024
#AFGvsNZ: The wait continues in Greater Noida as we prepare for another inspection at 03:00 PM IST☹️
The players haven’t even arrived at the ground and are still at their hotel. pic.twitter.com/lULCWefbqd
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) September 10, 2024
Afghanistan vs New Zealand one-off Test Day 1 was a washout due to wet outfield. Day 2 also delayed. Ground staff still working to fix the wet patches. Greater Noida Stadium is a complete disaster pic.twitter.com/AL6R6anyMR
— Priyarag Verma (@priyarag) September 10, 2024
Inexperienced ground staff struggling to prepare the field at Day 2 of Greater Noida Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand.
Location: Shaheed Vijay Singh Patik Stadium
Shot by @Dcreimas @ICC @ICCMediaComms @ACBofficials @BLACKCAPS #Afghanistan #NewZealand #AfghanAtalan pic.twitter.com/jJTecWCnBP
— 9 CRICKET (@9cricketglobal) September 10, 2024