Gloucestershire's County Championship fixture against Northamptonshire at Bristol was abandoned on Day One of play today (August 29), due to the umpires deeming the pitch too dangerous to continue playing on.
Having been put into bat, Gloucestershire were bowled out for 125 in just 36.1 overs. Oliver Price top-scored with 51 while Graeme van Buuren (40), was the only other batter to make it to double figures. Right-arm pacer Justin Broad, who had previously never taken more than two wickets in a first-class innings, finished with figures of 7-33, with Luke Proctor taking two.
When Northants came on to bat in the afternoon session, the batters were quickly in trouble again. Ricardo Vasconcelos retired hurt for 21 after being hit on the glove early in the innings. When Rob Keogh came out to bat, he was also hit on the glove off a delivery which leapt off the pitch from Ajeet Singh Dale. Keogh was in immediate pain, taking his bottom hand off the bat and throwing his bat away behind him.
After Keogh received treatment for his hand, the umpires and players had an extended meeting in the middle, which culminated in the umpires taking the players off the field. Gloucestershire announced on their social media channels that play had been suspended, later clarifying that the side was "awaiting the outcome of conversations between the umpires and the match referee".
We are currently awaiting the outcome of conversations between the umpires and the match referee. We will update you as soon as possible.
— Gloucestershire Cricket (@Gloscricket) August 29, 2024
It was later announced that the match had been abandoned, meaning Gloucestershire will now face the prospect of a sanction over the surface. They could find themselves with a points deduction as well as scoring zero points for the match. ECB regulations for the County Championship state: "In the event of a match being abandoned due to a pitch that has been rated unfit in accordance with the pitch regulations, the visiting team shall be awarded eight points in respect of the draw, plus first innings points already achieved. The home team shall be awarded zero points and any first innings points already achieved shall be rescinded... Note that this does not preclude further action being taken against the home team through the disciplinary process."
Gloucestershire issued a statement shortly after the game had been abandoned.
"Gloucestershire’s match against Northants has been abandoned after the umpires deemed there to be 'a foreseeable risk to the batters'," the club said.
"Whilst we acknowledge that this is not something anyone would have wanted to happen, we need to see, understand and discuss the match referee’s report before making further comment on the decision.
"We expect there will be an ECB investigation and we will of course assist them at all stages of that investigation."
The game was played on a hybrid pitch, as noted by the club's channels before the start of play.
We’re on the hybrid pitch for today’s match!
— Gloucestershire Cricket (@Gloscricket) August 29, 2024
Bat or bowl first…?#BecomeGlorious pic.twitter.com/C3JeB7CRYg
The result is especially cruel on Northants, one of only two sides in the country yet to win a County Championship game this season. Having built a near-impregnable position, their wait for victory goes on.
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