Test Cricket, a sport loved by millions, has a rich and complex history that spans centuries. With numerous matches played across the globe, it’s not surprising that some of these encounters have been left in the shadows, abandoned and forgotten. We’ll delve into the world of abandoned cricket matches, exploring the teams that played, the grounds where they clashed, and the dates that mark these historic encounters.
One of the most intriguing examples is the match between England and Australia at Old Trafford, Manchester on August 25, 1890. This Test match, which was part of the Ashes series, saw England emerge victorious by 143 runs. The scorecard reflects a thrilling contest, with England’s William Gunn top-scoring with 65 runs.
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Fast-forward to July 8, 1938, and we find another abandoned match taking place at Old Trafford, Manchester. This time, it was England facing off against Australia once again. The Test match ended in a draw, with both teams sharing the spoils. The scorecard shows nothing as there was no ball played.
The 1970s saw another abandoned match take place on December 31, 1970, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This Test match between Australia and England was a significant encounter but unfortunately there was no ball bowled.
On February 3, 1989, New Zealand and Pakistan faced off at Carisbrook, Dunedin. The match was part of a series between the two teams, with the Kiwis looking to strengthen their position in the contest. The Black Caps were eager to put up a strong showing against their opponents.
The West Indies vs. England cricket match at Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana on March 10, 1990 was abandoned due to rain. The game was delayed by several hours before it was eventually called off with no play possible. The outfield was waterlogged, and the players’ safety was a concern.
After that we had an abandoned match taking place on December 17, 1998, at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. Pakistan took on Zimbabwe in a Test match that ended in a draw. The scorecard shows showing no ball being bowled.
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Finally, we have an abandoned match that took place on December 18, 1998, at the Carisbrook Ground in Dunedin. New Zealand faced off against India in a Test match that ended in a draw.
In this list we have recently abandoned match between Afghanistan and New Zealand ended in a disappointing manner in Greater Noida, India, with not a single ball being bowled. This marked the eighth instance of a match being abandoned without a ball being bowled in Test history, with the last such occurrence dating back to 1998. The teams’ efforts were thwarted by unforeseen circumstances, leaving fans and players alike with a sense of disappointment and frustration.
Here’s the full list of abandoned matches:
– 25-08-1890: Old Trafford, Manchester – Australia vs. England
– 08-07-1938: Old Trafford, Manchester – Australia vs. England
– 31-12-1970: Melbourne Cricket Ground – Australia vs. England
– 03-02-1989: Carisbrook, Dunedin – New Zealand vs. Pakistan
– 10-03-1990: Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana – England vs. West Indies
– 17-12-1998: Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad – Pakistan vs. Zimbabwe
– 18-12-1998: Carisbrook, Dunedin – India vs. New Zealand
– 13-09-2024: Greater Noida – New Zealand vs. Afghanistan
These abandoned matches may not be as well-known as some of the more famous encounters in cricket history, but they are still an important part of the sport’s rich heritage.
