Safety Concerns Force Early Abandonment

The County Championship Division Two match between Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire was abandoned on the first day due to concerns about player safety on a hybrid pitch at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol.

Umpires Chris Watts and Sue Redfern decided to call off the game in the final session after Gloucestershire paceman Ajeet Singh Dale struck Northamptonshire batsmen Ricardo Vasconcelos and Rob Keogh on the hand, forcing both to retire hurt. At the time of the abandonment, Northamptonshire were 116-2 in response to Gloucestershire’s 125.

The umpires consulted with both team captains before leading the players off the field at 17:00 BST. They then discussed the situation with the groundstaff and match referee Jason Swift before contacting ECB pitch inspectors at Lord’s for further guidance. After careful consideration, the decision was made to abandon the match.

Gloucestershire had been dismissed for just 125 runs in 36.1 overs before the incidents occurred. Vasconcelos was taken to the hospital with a suspected broken finger after being struck by Dale.

Following Keogh’s injury in the final session, the umpires stepped in, citing concerns for the safety of the batsmen. As a result, Northamptonshire will receive 11 points for the draw, including three bowling bonus points, while Gloucestershire will not earn any points. It remains unclear if Gloucestershire will face any additional penalties.

In a brief statement, the umpires explained, “The match has been abandoned due to a foreseeable risk to the batters. In the umpires' opinion, continuing would have been unreasonable.”

Earlier in the day, Justin Broad delivered a career-best performance with the ball, taking 7-33 in 15.1 overs, including seven maidens. Gloucestershire’s innings quickly unravelled as they lost openers Cameron Bancroft and Ben Charlesworth within the first six overs. 

Broad bowled Bancroft, while Charlesworth edged a straightforward catch to second slip off Luke Procter’s delivery. Procter claimed another wicket when Miles Hammond nicked a ball to second slip after a loose shot outside off stump. James Bracey was then run out in unfortunate circumstances when Dom Leach deflected an Ollie Price drive onto the stumps, catching Bracey out of his crease.

Graeme van Buuren’s quickfire 40 from 40 balls offered some resistance, but his dismissal at 93 sparked a collapse. Broad trapped Tom Price lbw and dismissed Zafar Gohar, who shouldered arms to a straight delivery. Ollie Price was also pinned lbw by Broad after scoring 52.

Broad wrapped up Gloucestershire’s innings by quickly removing tailenders Dom Goodman and Zaman Akhter.

In reply, Northamptonshire’s Prithvi Shaw and Vasconcelos put on an opening partnership of 50 runs in 11.1 overs, but Vasconcelos had to retire hurt after advancing to 21. Procter and Keogh then added an unbeaten 49 for the third wicket before the game was abandoned due to safety concerns.