Cricket

The 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season has been plagued by inclement weather, with the latest victim being the Madhya Pradesh-Karnataka Elite Group-C match at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. The second day of the match was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to overnight rain that left the ground unplayable.The bowlers' run-up areas at both ends were particularly affected, and despite clear skies and sunshine throughout the day, they remained soggy and slippery. The groundstaff employed various methods to dry out the damp spots, including super-soppers, exhaust fans, and heavy rollers, but their efforts proved futile.This incident comes on the heels of another major venue, Kanpur, being criticized for its failure to restart play for two full days during the recently concluded Test series against Bangladesh. While Indore has experienced unseasonal rains in recent days, some locals and former office-bearers have alleged that much of the infrastructure, such as ground covers, was moved to Gwalior for a T20I match against Bangladesh last Sunday and had only returned on Saturday.However, Rohit Pandit, the Chief Administrative Officer of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, denied these claims, stating that they generally do not cover the entire ground for domestic matches. He also expressed uncertainty about why the game could not be started despite the rain stopping at 4.30 a.m.The match was eventually called off at 3.55 p.m., with rain forecast until October 15. The decision to cover the entire ground with sheets will be at the discretion of the curator.

The highly anticipated one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium in Greater Noida was unfortunately abandoned without a single ball being bowled over the five days. Persistent rainfall and an inadequate outfield prevented the umpires from starting the match even once.The stadium facilities faced criticism for their inability to prepare the surface for play despite a full day without rain. The match officials had no choice but to abandon the match completely on Friday, leaving both teams disappointed.Despite the lack of on-field action, Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott revealed that his players remained active by hitting the gym in preparation for their upcoming series against South Africa in the UAE. "We tried getting a couple of gym sessions and making sure the players are really active and working hard," Trott said. "We've got a one-day series coming up against South Africa, so we've had an eye on that, making sure our players are ready for the next series."New Zealand head coach Gary Stead echoed Trott's sentiments, stating that his players engaged in hallway cricket in their hotel and had multiple gym sessions. "A lot of hallway cricket in the hotel. Lots of playing spin and things like that," Stead said. "This was the first of six Tests in Asia for us, so it's disappointing to lose the opportunity to be match-ready for our next Test match next week."The abandoned match highlights the challenges faced by cricket boards in organizing matches during the monsoon season in India. The Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium's drainage system and outfield preparation came under scrutiny, raising questions about the suitability of the venue for international matches.Despite the disappointment, both Afghanistan and New Zealand will look to move forward and prepare for their upcoming series. Afghanistan will face South Africa in a one-day series in the UAE, while New Zealand will embark on a three-Test tour of India followed by two Tests in Sri Lanka.

Unrelenting Rain Forces Abandonment of Historic Afghanistan-New Zealand TestGreater Noida, India - The inaugural Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand has been abandoned without a ball being bowled due to incessant rainfall that has plagued the venue for the past seven days.The relentless downpour has left the outfield waterlogged and unplayable, making it impossible to conduct any meaningful cricket. The decision to abandon the match was made before the scheduled start time on the second day, leaving both teams disappointed and fans heartbroken."There has been more than 1200 mm of rain over seven days," a broadcast message stated. "The scale of rainfall has made it absolutely impossible for cricket today. We are going to come back on day five just in case, but the reality is there will be absolutely no prospect of play. We can't envisage anything else but an abandonment very early tomorrow morning."This marks the first time since 1998 that a men's Test match has been abandoned without a ball being bowled. The previous instance occurred in Dunedin, New Zealand, during India's tour of the country.The abandonment of the Afghanistan-New Zealand Test is a major setback for both teams, who were eager to make history in this historic encounter. Afghanistan was playing its first-ever Test match, while New Zealand was looking to extend its impressive record in the format.The weather conditions have also taken a toll on the players and support staff, who have been forced to endure long delays and uncertainty. The abandonment of the match will undoubtedly leave a bitter taste in the mouths of all involved.

India's final Group 'A' match against Canada in the ongoing T20 World Cup was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a waterlogged outfield. The match was scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM local time at the Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida, but umpires Richard Kettleborough and Sharfuddoula called off proceedings an hour later after a thorough inspection.Heavy rainfall the previous night had left the outfield saturated, making it unsafe for play. The decision was made after the umpires consulted with both teams and the match officials.India, who had already secured a place in the Super 8 stage with two wins from their first three matches, finished top of the group with seven points. They will now face Afghanistan in their first Super 8 fixture in Barbados on June 20.Canada, who had lost their first two matches, were left disappointed as they missed out on the chance to face the tournament favorites. Head coach Pubudu Dassanayake expressed his team's frustration but acknowledged the uncontrollable nature of the weather."As an associate nation, we would have loved to play against the Indian team. But nature cannot be stopped. There was heavy rain in the last two days, so it was tough to get the ground ready," Dassanayake said.India's focus will now shift to adapting to the different conditions in the West Indies. The pitches in the Caribbean are expected to be less conducive to fast bowling than those in New York, where India played their first three matches.Team combinations, batting approach, and par scores are some of the aspects that skipper Rohit Sharma and his team management will need to reassess. India batting coach Vikram Rathour expressed disappointment at not getting a game but emphasized the importance of player safety."It is disappointing for fans who have turned up to the stadium, and for us too. We were looking forward to playing the game. It was important for us to get match practice. But the rain is something we cannot control," Rathour said.Rathour also highlighted the concerns regarding injuries on a wet outfield. "The concern about sustaining an injury is always there when you play in less than ideal conditions. We are already in the Super 8, and you do not want any injuries ahead of important matches," Rathour added.

Western Storm and Thunder's Charlotte Edwards Cup Hopes Drenched by RainHeavy rainfall in Cardiff has extinguished the hopes of Western Storm and Thunder in the Charlotte Edwards Cup. The two teams, both in need of victories to advance in the tournament, were left frustrated as their match at Sophia Gardens was abandoned without a single ball being bowled.The persistent downpour made it impossible to remove the covers, forcing umpires Anna Harris and Ant Harris to call off the game at 3:25 pm. With Glamorgan and Hampshire Hawks scheduled to play a Vitality Blast South Group fixture at 6:30 pm, there was no window of opportunity for the women's match to resume.Thunder, currently in fifth place, remain behind Southern Vipers and Central Sparks, who have a game in hand. Western Storm, languishing at the bottom of the table, are effectively out of contention for the knockout stages.Thunder will look to improve their fortunes when they face Central Sparks at Edgbaston on Saturday. Western Storm, meanwhile, will aim to secure their second win of the campaign against Northern Diamonds at Headingley on Sunday.The abandonment of the match highlights the challenges faced by outdoor sports in the face of inclement weather. With the Charlotte Edwards Cup reaching its crucial stages, teams will be hoping for more favorable conditions in the remaining fixtures.

The T20 World Cup match between England and Scotland in Bridgetown, Barbados, was abandoned due to persistent rain on Tuesday, resulting in both teams sharing a point each. The game was initially reduced to 10 overs per side, with Scotland reaching an impressive 90 for no loss in their innings. England's revised target, according to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, was set at 109 runs off 10 overs.The Scottish openers, Michael Jones and George Munsey, showcased an attractive array of strokes, keeping the English bowlers under pressure throughout their innings. Jones remained unbeaten on 45 off 30 balls, hitting two sixes and four fours, while Munsey scored an unbeaten 41 off 31 deliveries, also striking four boundaries. Munsey had a stroke of luck when Mark Wood overstepped the crease after seemingly dismissing him, with skipper Jos Buttler taking a fine catch running behind.The match experienced several rain interruptions, starting with a delay in the commencement of the game due to a wet spot on the pitch caused by a passing shower. The longest break occurred right after the powerplay, with Scotland in a commanding position at 51 for no loss in 6.2 overs. The lengthy interruption prompted officials to reduce the game by 10 overs each in the two innings.England's bowling attack, particularly Chris Jordan (0/24) and Adil Rashid (0/26), struggled to maintain control and failed to trouble the Scottish opening pair in their first outing of the tournament. Scotland will now focus on their upcoming match against Namibia at the Kensington Oval on Friday, while England will prepare to face their arch-rivals Australia at the same venue on Saturday.

Gujarat Titans' Playoff Hopes Dashed as Rain Abandons Match Against Kolkata Knight RidersThe first abandoned match of IPL 2024 occurred in Ahmedabad on Monday due to a combination of lightning and heavy rain, confirming two crucial outcomes: Kolkata Knight Riders' top-two finish in the league stage and Gujarat Titans' elimination from playoff contention.Gujarat Titans, languishing in eighth place, needed a victory to remain in the hunt, but the relentless rain prevented even a toss from taking place. The storm's intensity was such that it affected some floodlights, and torn stadium banners wrapped around them, necessitating manual removal.Gujarat Titans' task was already daunting, with the season's lowest net run-rate of -1.063. Even two substantial victories in their remaining two games could have left them short. Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, were virtually assured of a top-two finish thanks to their dominant net run-rate of 1.428 after 12 games, which was solidified by their 19th point in the tally.This marks the first time Gujarat Titans have failed to qualify for the IPL playoffs since joining the competition in 2022. They will play a consolation match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 16.The abandoned match could have provided Kolkata Knight Riders with an opportunity to integrate wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz into their starting lineup. Gurbaz is expected to replace Phil Salt, who will depart to join his national team camp.Kolkata Knight Riders' next goal is to finish the league stage at the top, a feat they have never achieved before. A victory over Rajasthan Royals in their final league game on Sunday will guarantee them the top spot. They will also secure the top position if Rajasthan Royals fail to secure two wins in their remaining two matches, including the KKR fixture.Even if Kolkata Knight Riders do not finish first, they will not be overly concerned. In the two previous seasons they finished second in the IPL points table (2012 and 2014), they emerged as IPL champions.