New Zealand head coach Gary Stead has said that being denied the opportunity to get some game-time after a six-month gap in Test cricket is the “most disappointing part” after their one-off Test against Afghanistan was called off without a ball bowled.
New Zealand had this match to familiarise themselves with the subcontinent conditions, with the series against Sri Lanka and India coming up.
But persistent rain and outfield issues in Greater Noida reduced the first-ever Test between the two teams to a no-show.
“The most disappointing part for us is that we lost the opportunity to be match-hardened and match-ready when we go into our Test match [against Sri Lanka] next week,” Stead said at the post-match press conference.
“The guys are really disappointed. It was an opportunity to play Afghanistan. It doesn’t come around that often”.
