Gloucestershire-Northamptonshire Match Abandoned Due to Safety Concerns

The Vitality County Championship Second Division match between Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire was abandoned due to safety concerns over the hybrid pitch. Umpires Chris Watts and Sue Redfern halted the game after Northants batters Ricardo Vasconcelos and Rob Keogh were struck on the hand by Gloucestershire paceman Ajeet Singh Dale.

Northants were 116 for 2 in reply to Gloucestershire's 125 when the contest was abandoned at 5pm. The umpires consulted with both captains and groundstaff before making the decision. They then sought advice from ECB pitch inspectors at Lord's, who concurred with the abandonment.

Gloucestershire had scored over 500 runs on a neighboring pitch against Leicestershire earlier in the week, but were dismissed for just 125 on this occasion. The county had previously used a hybrid pitch for their home Championship match against Middlesex without incident. However, this pitch presented different challenges, resulting in Vasconcelos being taken to hospital with a suspected broken finger.

When Keogh was struck during the final session, the umpires intervened due to concerns for the batters' safety. Northants will receive 11 points for a draw, including three bowling bonus points, while Gloucestershire will receive none. The matter has been referred to the Cricket Regulator for investigation.

The umpires issued a statement explaining that the match was abandoned due to a foreseeable risk to the batters. Gloucestershire declined to comment, but later issued a statement anticipating further action.

Justin Broad had a career-best bowling performance for Northants, taking 7 for 33 in 15.1 overs. Only Ollie Price managed to cope with the exaggerated nip and seam off the pitch, scoring 52 for Gloucestershire.

Despite fielding a weakened attack, Northants captain Procter chose to bowl first on a green-tinged surface. Broad and Procter dismissed Gloucestershire's openers inside six overs. Miles Hammond and James Bracey also fell cheaply, leaving Gloucestershire struggling at 16 for 3.

Price and van Buuren provided some resistance, but van Buuren's dismissal for 40 sparked a collapse. Tom Price, Zafar Gohar, and Ollie Price all fell to Broad, who registered his maiden five-wicket haul. Broad then accounted for tailenders Dom Goodman and Zaman Akhter to achieve the best figures of any Northants bowler in matches at Bristol since 1910.

Northants' reply was also affected by the pitch conditions. Vasconcelos retired hurt after being struck on the hand, while Keogh was also hit. Procter and Keogh added an unbeaten 49 for the third wicket before the match was abandoned.

Tags: #Cricket, #CountyChampionship, #HybridPitch, #PlayerSafety, #UmpireDecision