Times When Games Have Been Abandoned Without a Ball Bowled

In the 147-year history of Test cricket, games being called off without a single ball bowled are extremely rare. Excluding cancellations due to wars or pandemics, it has only occurred eight times, the most recent being the Afghanistan vs. New Zealand match in Greater Noida. Here’s a look back at the circumstances surrounding the seven other instances when a Test match was abandoned completely.

1. England vs Australia, Old Trafford, 1890

The first instance of a Test match being called off without a ball bowled occurred in Manchester during the 1890 Ashes series. Back then, Tests lasted three days, and Australia, seeking a consolation win in the final Test, faced off against England, captained by WG Grace. Unfortunately, rain washed out all three days, and the match ended without even a toss. It was an anticlimactic conclusion to a thrilling tour, which included 34 first-class matches and saw England win the three-match series 2-0.

2. England vs Australia, Old Trafford, 1938

Almost 50 years later, Old Trafford was once again the site of a Test match lost to the weather. This time, the captains were Wally Hammond for England and Don Bradman for Australia. The game was the third of the five-match Ashes series, and by then, Tests had evolved into four-day affairs with a rest day. Yet, history repeated itself in Manchester, as continuous rain ensured that not even a toss took place. The teams moved on to Leeds for the next match in the series.

3. Australia vs England, Melbourne Cricket Ground, 1970

In 1970, Melbourne became the stage for yet another weather-related washout. The first two Tests of what was meant to be a six-match series had ended in draws. England had won the toss and elected to bowl, but just as the teams were preparing to take the field, the rain began—and it continued for three days straight. With hopes for a traditional Test dashed, the organisers devised a unique solution to recover revenue and avoid another drawn Test. They scheduled a 60-over, one-innings-per-side game on the fifth day, which was attended by 46,000 spectators and later recognised as the first-ever One Day International (ODI). To make up for the lost Test, a seventh match was added in January 1971.

4. New Zealand vs Pakistan, Dunedin, 1989

The start of a three-match series between New Zealand and Pakistan in Dunedin was dampened by relentless rain that continued for two days. By the third day, any chance of a result seemed remote, leading to the cancellation of the match. However, when conditions improved on the fourth day, captains John Wright and Imran Khan decided to entertain the crowd with a one-day match, where Richard Hadlee took 5 for 38. Despite the promising start, the remainder of the Test series ended in draws, and both teams shared the honours.

5. West Indies vs England, Bourda, 1990

In 1990, England arrived in Guyana leading the four-match series 1-0, only for the second Test at Bourda to be marred by relentless rain in the lead-up to the game. With the outfield waterlogged and three days lost, a decision was made to abandon the match on the scheduled rest day. Plans were made to host an ODI instead, but even that had to be postponed due to poor conditions. Finally, on the fifth day, a 49-overs-per-side ODI was played, where West Indies emerged victorious, thanks to Gordon Greenidge’s 77.

6. Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, Faisalabad, 1998

The third Test between Pakistan and Zimbabwe in Faisalabad was greeted by thick fog, typical of December in the region. After two foggy days with almost no visibility, players stopped coming to the ground. By the fourth day, the umpires called off the match entirely. Critics argued that the decision was premature, as the fog had lifted by the afternoon. Furthermore, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faced backlash for scheduling a Test in Faisalabad during a season when fog was common. Despite the abandonment, Zimbabwe secured their maiden Test series win after 15 attempts.

7. New Zealand vs India, Dunedin, 1998

Coincidentally, on the same day as the Faisalabad Test, another match was abandoned—this time in Dunedin. Heavy rain halted play between New Zealand and India in the first Test of the series. After three consecutive days of rain, the umpires had no choice but to call off the game, marking the second time a Test had been abandoned at Dunedin. Umpire Steven Dunne, who officiated both the 1989 and 1998 abandoned games, was again present as the match was scrapped. Similar to the 1989 scenario, an unofficial one-day game was organised on the scheduled fourth day.

These rare instances highlight how unpredictable weather can sometimes play the most significant role in cricket. With only eight instances of completely abandoned Tests, these games remain etched in history as unusual disruptions in the sport's long and storied tradition.