In a bizarre ending to Hampshire’s Division One clash with Nottinghamshire at The Ageas Bowl, Tea was called with the home side needing just one run to secure victory, much to the consternation of the crowd and commentators.
After three days of play in their opening fixture of the 2023 County Championship, Notts had set Hampshire 132 to win in their final innings. Nick Gubbins had passed fifty and, along with James Vince, was seeing Hampshire safely towards their target with eight wickets remaining as the middle session drew to a close.
The umpires had extended play for 15 minutes so that the batters would have a chance to secure victory by the end of the session. Gubbins took the scores to level with a sweep for four off the fourth ball of Ben Slater’s fourth over. He then played out two dots to see out the over, unable to force a single.
As the Notts fielders started to move around to their fielding positions for the start of the next over, the umpires got together in for a discussion. It soon became clear as they walked over to the players that they had decided to call tea as the extra 15 minutes for Hampshire to score the winning runs were up.
The decision was met with disbelief from the crowd and the commentators alike.
“For heaven’s sake,” said one of the commentators. “Should we call the tea break now? Oh they are! You are joking! What?”
The crowd could be heard booing and slow clapping as the players walked off the field. Despite the 15 minutes being up, it seemed pointless to take a 20 minute break with so little needed to bring an end to the game.
After the interval it only took two balls for Vince to nudge a single to secure the win. The balls were bowled by regular wicket keeper Tom Moores with Steven Mullany donning the gloves to allow him a bowl.
