"Was Never Going To Be...": Afghanistan Coach's Honest Verdict Amid Greater Noida Venue's Criticism

Disappointed and frustrated after rain forced their one-off Test to be abandoned without any play, head coaches of Afghanistan and New Zealand on Friday said only inclement weather was to be blamed for the fiasco as scheduling a match during monsoon season is "always tricky". A wet outfield and persistent rain played spoilsport and authorities at the ill-equipped Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex were at their wits' end to make the field suitable for play. It was only the eight instance of a Test being abandoned without any action.

"We were very excited to play against New Zealand and put ourselves up against the challenge of that," Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott said at a joint press conference with his New Zealand counterpart Gary Stead.

"Unfortunately, the weather has played its part and it's made it difficult for us to get a game and we're very disappointed. To try and play a Test match at this time of year (monsoon) is always tricky.

"(In terms of facilities) obviously disappointed that we haven't been able to play as the amount of water that's come down is unprecedented for this time of year," he added.

Stead said the BlackCaps were also frustrated as they were looking at this fixture as a preparation for the upcoming World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka and India.

"It's frustrating for us. It was our first Test against Afghanistan and we were really excited about that as well. They've been great competitors of ours over the last few World Cups as well."

New Zealand fly out to Sri Lanka on Saturday for a two-match Test series, starting in Galle on September 18.

"For us, we have the World Test Championship just around the corner in Sri Lanka as well. So, the preparation towards that would