New Zealand frustrated after losing on crucial game time ahead of Sri Lanka and India series - Gary Stead

New Zealand's cricket team is frustrated as their one-off Test match against Afghanistan was called off without a single ball being bowled due to persistent rain and outfield issues in Greater Noida. The cancellation has left the Kiwis lacking crucial match practice ahead of their upcoming series against Sri Lanka and India.

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead expressed his disappointment, highlighting the lost opportunity for the team to accumulate to subcontinent conditions. 

"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. The guys are really disappointed. It was an opportunity to play Afghanistan. It doesn't come around that often," Stead said at the post-match press conference.

The cancellation is particularly significant given New Zealand's six-month gap in Test cricket. The team was eager to face Afghanistan's bowling attack and adapt to their playing style. 

"They have some unique bowlers - it's always good to get your head around how you face them. The way they play is a little bit different from other countries. It's always learning what you can do when you get in those match situations," he added.

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We have come here to play cricket and play a Test match: Gary Stead 

While the game was not part of the World Test Championship, its importance to the New Zealand squad was evident. Stead emphasized the team's frustration. He mentioned that the red-ball format is dearest to the team and has the optimism to do well in this format.

"Even though it was fine for those two days, there were thunderstorms the nights before and the ground was just too soft and the umpires deemed that unfit to play on. So that is sort of out of the player's hands, too. But we were frustrated. We have come here to play cricket and play a Test match and as Jonathan said, Test cricket, certainly to our group of players that is here, that's very, very dear to their hearts and every Test you get to play in is a big one," he further added.

Looking ahead, New Zealand faces a challenging schedule with five of their remaining eight Tests in the current World Test Championship cycle set to take place in Asia. Despite the setback, Stead remains confident in the team's ability to adapt to varying conditions. 

"So regardless of whether it has World Test Championship points or not, that opportunity to get out there for five days, it looked a great surface. The whole block looked fantastic, so it would have been a great match of Test cricket," he concluded.