The first day of the Afghanistan-New Zealand one-off Test match in Greater Noida was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a wet outfield. Here are the latest weather and rain updates for day two of the match.
Despite bright sunshine on day one of the Test match on Monday, the outfield remained unsuitable for play due to several wet patches following heavy rainfall across the last week in the city. Located an hour away from New Delhi, the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, hosting its first Test match, saw bright sunshine on the morning of day one but the umpires called off play at 4 pm local time after deeming the outfield to be unfit.
To make up for lost time, the Test will begin half an hour early over the next four days, weather permitting. The toss will be held at 9 am local time on day two, with the game starting half an hour later.
READ: 'Utter mismanagement' - AFG-NZ Test in Greater Noida delayed despite no rain
The rain prediction for Tuesday, however, does not look promising.
AFG vs NZ, one-off Test: Latest rain updates for day two
9:30 am: The next official inspection is at 12 pm.
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
9:15 am: Toss has been delayed despite a clear sky. The wet outfield is still a cause of concern, especially the midwicket area.
8:40 am: The toss will take place at 9 am. A total of 98 overs will be played today if the match starts at the scheduled time of 9:30 am.
According to weather.com, there is prediction of thundershowers throughout the day on Tuesday. There is also expected to be overnight rain, with nearly 50 per cent chance of showers predicted for 5 am. By 8 am, the rain is likely to get heavier. Showers are expected to last through the day, with almost 62 per cent chance of rain around noon.
While the day will begin with scattered thundershowers, one can expect strong winds with heavy rain around 1 pm local time.
Weather Underground has a similar prediction. At around 9 am, when the toss is scheduled to take place, thunderstorms are likely, with 62 percent rain, the most it is expected to rain on Tuesday. The chance of a downpour between 9 am and 3 pm is over 50 percent.
It leaves any chance of play beginning on Tuesday slim. Even if the rain stays away, the ground conditions need plenty of sunshine to get the all-clearance from the officials, but, as things stand currently, further delays look imminent.
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