Guyana, Dunedin, & other Tests that were abandoned due to unfit conditions

The one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand in Greater Noida is set to enter the record books for the wrong reasons. Only a handful of Test matches have been washed out COMPLETELY due to rain or poor conditions, and this game could join that list sooner rather than later. Three days of the Test have already been washed out, and things look gloomy for the final two days as well.

On that note, let’s check out a few instances when Test matches were called off due to poor playing conditions since 1990:

West Indies vs England, Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana, 1989-90

After West Indies took a thrashing in the first Test in Jamaica, the action shifted to the second game in Guyana. Unfortunately, torrential rains swept Georgetown across all five days, and the ground in Bouuda started filling up with water. The umpires decided to call off the match after no play was possible even after Day Three, but instead, a call to play two ODIs on the final two days was proposed. 

The rain gods relented on the final day, and a 50-over contest was played as West Indies pipped England by seven wickets.

Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, 1998-99

After going 1-0 up Peshawar, Zimbabwe went into the third Test in Faisalabad with hopes of registering their first-ever Test series win. They achieved that, but not in a way anyone would have expected. 

The match was called off after the fog became so thick during the second day when the players did not even show up to the ground. Umpires Salim Badar and New Zealander Doug Cowie decided to call off the match on the fourth day, which many commentators felt was a hasty call.

New Zealand vs India, Dunedin, 1998-99

In a remarkable coincidence, the Pakistan vs Zimbabwe Test in Faisalabad and this game between India and New Zealand were abandoned on the same day, making it the 10th and 11th such incidents, respectively. 

Umpires Eddie Nicholls and Steve Dunne decided to call the match off on the third day due to prolonged heavy rains, and on day four, the two sides played an unofficial one-day match.

West Indies vs England, Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica, 1997-98

After just 10.1 deliveries, the match was called off as the pitch was deemed unsafe after the balls pitched dangerously from length areas. Umpires Steve Bucknor and S Venkataraghvan noticed this consulted the umpires, and then decided to stop the match. As a result, an additional Test was scheduled in Port of Spain Trinidad, which the hosts won by three wickets and went on to win the series 3-1.

West Indies vs England, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound Antigua, 2008-09

Same opponents, same result, different venue. Only 10 balls were bowled in the entire Test, as the outfield was considered dangerous, and the bowlers were unable to gain any solid footholds. As a result, this became the shortest record Test ever, and another Test was added to the series and played at the Antigua Recreation Ground two days after the scheduled Test was abandoned.

If you’ve not downloaded the Cricket.com app yet, you’re missing out — big time. Play Fantasy on Cricket.com NOW! Download the App here.