A COUNTY Championship match between Somerset and Hampshire was postponed due to a bizarre weather ruling on Monday.
Several games in the competition had been rained off elsewhere in the country, but it was the wind which was eventually deemed unplayable in sunny Taunton.
2
2
Rain had passed through the ground overnight and into the morning and prompted a lunch-time pitch inspection of the field, but soon the rain had blown over to sunny skies.
However, it was reportedly another weather phenomena that put the final nail in the coffin of the day’s cricket action, before a single ball was bowled.
High winds in the area had reportedly made removing the covers a hazardous prospect for groundstaff at County Ground.
There is a precedent for such injuries, with groundsman Matt Page of the Western Australian Cricket Association being struck and concussed by one of his own coverings during an Ashes test in Perth in 2017.
The Times reports that umpires Ben Debenham and David Millns made an inspection of the scene as fans waited for play to finally begin.
But they were waiting in vain, with the game later being abandoned, in line with England and Wales Cricket Board health and safety guidelines.
Those in attendance were initially left in the dark as to the reason for the delay, with the eventual decision being announced after tea
The cricket world was evidently unimpressed by the situation, with several fans of the sport slamming the ECB in reply to The Times’ report.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
One fan said: “And they wonder why the County game is not in rude health? This was simply ridiculous.”
Another fan was just as harsh, saying: “This is a complete disgrace. Why is the ECB not in hot water over this ridiculous rule?
Some fans found the funny side of the ridiculous situation, with a third fan adding: “I’m surprised they allow the ball to land in the crowd…”
And a fourth fan sarcastically chimed in: “How are they allowed to play with that very hard ball?”
Like most of Monday’s postponed matches, the contest eventually got underway on Tuesday, with Somerset choosing to start off with bat in hand.
Middlesex and Lancashire however were subject to a further rain delay as they met at Old Trafford Cricket Ground.