AFG vs NZ: Afghanistan vs New Zealand only Test match has been officially cancelled. This match got cancelled without a ball being bowled, even both the captains could not come on the ground for the toss due to heavy rain and wet ground. With this, this is only the 8th incident in the history of Test cricket when a Test match got cancelled without a ball being bowled. And this is the first time in the 21st century that this has happened. With this, another record was also made by the cancellation of Afghanistan vs New Zealand Test. In the 91-year history of Test cricket, this Test match got cancelled in Asia without a ball being bowled. Yes, 7 cancelled Tests till now were outside Asia.
This is New Zealand’s second consecutive match in the list of matches that were cancelled without a ball being bowled. Before Afghanistan, the Kiwi team had spent 5 days in the dressing room against India in 1998.
Now let us have a look at the list of Test matches that were cancelled without a ball being bowled:
Test No.: 34 – Australia vs England, Old Trafford, Manchester
Test number 34a was the first match to be cancelled due to rain. The toss for this match did not even take place.
Test No.: 264 – Australia v England, Old Trafford, Manchester
Test number 264a was also cancelled due to rain. There was no toss.
Test No.: 675 – Australia vs England, Melbourne Cricket Ground
During Test number 675a, it started to rain just as the players were entering the field. Discussions took place between the MCC manager, the Australian Board and 2 MCC officials and it was concluded that a limited overs match should be played and this match was subsequently declared as the first ODI.
Test No: 1113 – New Zealand v Pakistan, Carisbrook, Dunedin
In Test No. 1113a, due to heavy rain, the match was abandoned on 3 February 1989. Also, it was planned that an ODI would be played on 6 February 1989 and this ODI was played as per schedule.
Test No.: 1140 – England v West Indies, Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana
Test number 1140a was cancelled due to rain. On the 5th day of this match, an ODI match was played.
Test No.: 1434 – Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
The Pakistan vs Zimbabwe Test was abandoned without a toss taking place.
Test No.: 1434 – New Zealand v India, Carisbrook, Dunedin
Test No. 1434B was abandoned on day 3. It was decided that an unofficial one-day match would be played on the fourth day.
Test No: 2549- Afghanistan v New Zealand, Greater Noida
Test number 2549 was abandoned due to rain without a ball being bowled. There was no toss for this match either.