A club match was abandoned with the scores level on Saturday (August 11), with the umpire reportedly deeming the sun too low in the sky to guarantee player safety and allow the winning runs to be scored.
Nostell St Oswald CC were cruising chasing 237 in a 46-over per side match against West Bretton CC. With five overs to go and three wickets in hand, they levelled the scored on 235, Nos.8 and 9 at the crease. However, the match did not continue past that point, and was declared abandoned without another ball bowled, despite five overs left in the innings.
West Bretton later clarified the reasoning for the game being abandoned on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the umpires had made the decision to finish the game early due to the sun appearing low in the sky as the evening drew in.
Abandoned due to umpire unable to guarantee safety due to low sun. https://t.co/TfzdyQR4Ku
— West Bretton CC (@WestBrettonCC) August 12, 2024
Nostell St Oswald have not addressed the controversy online as of yet.
The rules for Pontefract and District Cricket League, which the match was part of, state: "The umpire(s) shall, at all times, be responsible for the decision as to whether to start, suspend, or restart after a stoppage in play, whenever 'light', weather conditions or fitness of the ground to play are called into question."
Nostell St Oswald CC currently sit in fifth position in the Premier District table following the game, which they picked up nine points from. West Bretton CC are in seventh position, after picking up ten points from the match.
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