Despite no rain, unfortunately, the first day of the Afghanistan-New Zealand has been called off due to a wet outfield. The play is set to kick off half an hour early on Tuesday, with 98 overs to be played weather permitting.
Next inspection has now been moved to 4:30 PM IST. Unlikely that any play will happen today now...
The tea has been taken as the wait continues. Hopefully, the 3 PM inspection brings some good news.
The sun has peeped in and out but the teamperatures have been high and despite all of that, the wet patches continue to remain a concern. No play so far and another inspection at 3 PM, which is 2.5 hours before the scheduled end of day's play.
There will be one more inspection at 2 PM IST as the wait continues and frustration grows.
The broadcast turned on for a brief period where the presenter Andrew Leonard informed that the wet patches behind him were still a concern and since it has become overcast yet again, there's just hope of some play on Day 1 there in Greater Noida.
The frustration grows as the inspection has been moved to 1 PM IST as the official broadcast says. It seems like the wet patches continue to trouble the groundsmen as far as the conditions being fit for the match are concerned.
The patches are wet and it might take an hour or two for it to subside. An official inspection has been scheduled at 11:30 AM IST and the players and fans will be hoping for a positive update.
It is a sunny morning in Noida on Monday, September 9, however, since it has rained a lot in the past two days, the outfield has taken a beating and there are a few wet patches that are a concern for the officials, especially on the bowler's run-up from the media box end.
Afghanistan suffered a body blow ahead of the only Test match against New Zealand with Ibrahim Zadran getting ruled out due to due to an ankle sprain in his left leg. Zadran will not take part in the upcoming series against South Africa as well.
New Zealand haven't been a great touring side, being the only team to not win an away series in the World Test Championship reflects poorly on them, especially since they have won the inaugural championship. With Tests against Sri Lanka and India on the horizon, it might not be a bad time for the Kiwis to strike some form.
Afghanistan have done well against the likes of Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Ireland across a total of nine Test matches they have played so far. However, New Zealand despite being in alien conditions, will pose a tough challenge to Afghanistan which since their opening Test against India will be their biggest.
Afghanistan take on New Zealand in the first-ever Test between the two sides in Greater Noida starting today. Thankfully, the rain has subsided after a couple of gloomy days in Delhi-NCR and it is a sunny morning with a wet outfield as Afghanistan look to get more experience in the format while New Zealand look to get accustomed to sub-continent conditions before five more Tests in Asia. Follow all the live updates of AFG vs NZ 1st Test-
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