In what has been a rare occurrence, the one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand that was supposed to be held at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, Uttar Pradesh has been called off without a ball being bowled.
In over 5000 Test matches played in cricket history, this uncommon event has taken place a total of eight times, which just goes to show how rare this is. There is a better chance that you could be struck by lightning than seeing a Test match being washed out without a toss taking place.
Let’s take a look at the list of Test matches that have been called off without a ball being bowled.
England vs Australia – August 27, 1890 – Old Trafford
In an era where Test matches were three days long, England had already secured the three-match series by winning their previous two games at The Lord’s and the Oval respectively. But the final Test in Manchester became the first ever game in recorded history to have been abandoned without a ball being bowled.
England vs Australia – July 12, 1938 – Old Trafford
Once again England and Australia met in Manchester, 48 years later at the very same venue in Old Trafford. But this time, the Test format was extended to the 4-day period where the Don Bradman-led Aussies were looking to take a win and the series lead after back-to-back draws in the first two games.
Australia vs England – January 5, 1970 – Melbourne
This time it was the Aussies that were hosts to the third-ever match that was washed out. After England won the toss, Ray Illingworth chose to bat first. But showers meant that the game could not begin in the first place and resulted in the game being washed out. However, it was here that history was created as the administrators came in to create the first-ever One-Day International in a bid to get back some of their revenue.
New Zealand vs Pakistan – February 7, 1989 – Dunedin
The city in South Island was playing host to Pakistan in their first game against the Kiwis in their tour of New Zealand. However, showers meant that the game was called off on the third day. Surprisingly, conditions seemed to improve on the fourth day as both skippers, Imran Khan and John Wright had mutually agreed to play a one-day international instead.
West Indies vs England – March 15, 1990 – Georgetown
The touring England side looked to extend their series lead after beating the West Indies earlier. But inclement weather resulted in the game being called off after which the two sides mutually agreed to play a one-day international instead. Despite the ODI being set to take place on the fourth day, which also got delayed due to the weather a 49-over-a-side game took place on the final day which the hosts managed to win thanks to a fine knock by Gordon Greenridge.
Pakistan vs Zimbabwe – December 21, 1998 – Faisalabad
While most of the games on this list were called off due to rain, this game in Faisalabad had to be abandoned due to poor visibility as a result of the thick fog that was present in the city. But the decision fell in favour of the visitors as Pakistan had suffered a series defeat against Zimbabwe in the longest format for the first time in their history.
New Zealand vs India – December 21, 1998 – Dunedin
Coincidentally on the same day that the Pakistan vs Zimbabwe Test in Faisalabad was called off, India’s Test against New Zealand was also called off on December 20th, 1998. Due to the game being called off on the third day, the two sides led by Mohammed Azharuddin and Stephen Fleming respectively, took part in an unofficial one-day game instead.
Afghanistan vs New Zealand – September 13, 2024 – Greater Noida
Afghanistan were raring to take on New Zealand, a much tougher opposition where they could test themselves on all fronts. But persistent rain coupled with the stadium’s inefficiencies in ensuring the outfield wouldn’t get wet ensured that the game was called off on the final day, resulting in a disappointing result for both sides.
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