Followers getting used to dry the moist floor earlier than the inspection of the pitch on the second day of the Take a look at Match at Better Noida in Uttar Pradesh on September 10, 2024
| Photograph Credit score: R.V. Moorthy
Floor workers used electrical followers in a determined bid to dry the pitch within the Take a look at between Afghanistan and New Zealand Tuesday, however play was known as off for a second straight day with one official calling it “an enormous mess”.
The one-off Take a look at at Afghanistan’s adopted dwelling close to New Delhi was supposed to start out on Monday however the toss is but to happen due to rain and the poor situation of the Better Noida floor.
On Tuesday, groundsmen dragged out tarpaulin to cowl areas of the pitch in anticipation of extra rain, whereas others held electrical followers over a number of the worst moist patches.
Floor workers additionally dug up a moist patch — within the cover-point and mid-wicket area — and have been filling it with dry soil and recent turf.
Groundsmen overlaying the pitch on the second day of the Take a look at Match at Better Noida in Uttar Pradesh on September 10, 2024.
| Photograph Credit score:
R.V. Moorthy
Umpires carried out repeated inspections and eventually known as off play within the mid-afternoon. The venue, internet hosting its first Take a look at, has solely primary drainage and has been criticised for its services.
Soaked outfield
Regardless of sunshine on Tuesday the outfield stays soaked after days of monsoon rain.
The groups stayed of their lodges on Tuesday morning however New Zealand, who have been unable to finish any of their coaching periods forward of the Take a look at, later put up nets on the bottom and gamers went via their drills.
On Monday, the New Zealand gamers threw rugby balls round as they waited for play, however the groups spent the morning on Tuesday marooned at their lodges.
Afghanistan have hosted a number of T20 and ODIs since 2017 on the venue.
‘Big mess’
The Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) has supplied Afghanistan venues to coach and host matches at exterior their troubled nation, together with in Lucknow and Dehradun.
Kane Williamson and Vikram Rathour on the apply nets in Noida
| Photograph Credit score:
R.V. Moorthy
Lucknow and Dehradun have been most popular choices for this Take a look at by Afghanistan, however these grounds have been busy with native leagues.
The press field at Better Noida was initially an open-sided tent with a rug and chairs, with out web or energy, however have been shifted after complaints.
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officers have been cautious about criticism, fearing it may spoil relations with the BCCI, however stated they have been disillusioned.
“This can be a enormous mess. We’re by no means coming again right here,” an ACB official was quoted as saying by one information organisation.
It is just Afghanistan’s tenth Take a look at match.
There was no public response from Tim Southee’s New Zealand facet, who will subsequent journey to Sri Lanka for 2 Exams earlier than returning for 3 extra towards India.
Revealed – September 10, 2024 03:36 pm IST
