Test in Greater Noida: Despite a three-day break, AFG can get a result against NZ. Here’s how it works

The only Test between New Zealand and Afghanistan attracted attention for all the wrong reasons, as play was not possible after the first three days of play at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground in Greater Noida. While the first two days had to be abandoned due to the wet outfield, persistent rain on the third day forced officials to announce stumps before play was scheduled to begin.

Thus, The historic friendly between the two teams is heading for an unwanted drawHowever, a result would still be possible in the game if the captains of both teams intervened and agreed to lose one innings each and shorten the game to two innings.

One such incident occurred in international cricket in January 2000 during the fifth Test between England and South Africa. Having been asked to bat first, South Africa finished the first day on 155/6 with Lance Klusener (22*) and Shaun Pollock (9*) in bat. Rain fell continuously over the next three days of the Test, inevitably leading the match to a draw.

Hansie Cronje’s attempt to force a result

South Africa captain Hansie Cronje was determined to get a result and discussed the course of action with England captain Nasser Hussain at the end of the fourth day. Cronje suggested that both teams should play an innings and that England should set a target of 270 from 73 overs. However, the England captain was sceptical about giving his word on an early announcement after seeing the wild behavior of the pitch on the first day.

After play resumed on Day 5 at Centurion, with the English players watching Lance Klusener and Shaun Pollock score crucial runs for their team, Hussain let Cronje know that he would consider scoring 250 runs from 73 overs. Much to Hussain’s surprise, Cronje agreed to give three overs more and five runs less for the English team, settling on a target of 245 runs from 76 overs. A boundary from Paul Adams’ bat took the equation to 249, which England happily accepted.

What does Law 15 say?

As discussed, South Africa declared their first innings at 248/8 and Nasser Hussain declared England’s first innings without seeing a single ball as the rules at that time only allowed the second innings to be forfeited. Cronje also lost South Africa’s second innings. Law 15.2 of the MCC Rules states: “A captain may retire any innings of his team at any time before the start of that innings. An innings retire shall be deemed to be a completed innings.”

Therefore, England were given a target of 249 to reach in the fourth innings. England pulled off a thrilling two-wicket win, reaching the target in 75.1 overs, thanks to brilliant knocks from Michael Vaughan (69) and Alec Stewart (73). As a result, South Africa won the series 2-1.

A huge revelation changes everything

But in a major turnaround, Four months later, Cronje’s involvement in the betting-fixing scandal came to light and he revealed that he was asked by a bookie to make a particular result in the match in return for money. So a decision that was seen as the perfect advertisement for Test cricket had a hidden agenda that brought the game into disrepute.

Therefore, Afghanistan and New Zealand could possibly take inspiration from Cronje and force a result in the ongoing Test match. However, this time, while maintaining the spirit of the game and giving the fans an exciting match. Even if both teams decide to work together to get a result, the weather gods might not allow it at all as the weather forecast for the remaining two matches paints another worrying picture.