Twenty20 match abandoned as player 'attacks' spectator

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London, July 9: Cricket matches have been abandoned for various reasons, mostly due to inclement weather. However, recently in England, a game was called off as a player attacked a spectator!

The Total Indoor Cricket Solutions Twenty20 Shield contest between Almondbury Wesleyan Cricket Club and Denby Dale Cricket Club had to be stopped by umpires after bowler Chris Sykes (Almondbury) allegedly attacked opposition team's spectator.

Sykes has already been suspended from playing the next match. He could further face action once the umpires submit their official report.

A July 7 report in "The Huddersfield Daily Examiner" said, "A cricket match had to be abandoned after an Almondbury Wesleyans player allegedly attacked an opposition spectator."

"An eyewitness told the Examiner that bowler Chris Sykes, who was fielding near the boundary, got into a verbal dispute with the Denby Dale member which resulted in an alleged attack.

"Given the circumstances Almondbury had little option but to abandon the Total Indoor Cricket Solutions T20 Shield match at Denby Dale's ground at Wakefield Road on Tuesday night and forfeit the fixture," the report said.

Almondbury Wesleyan CC said in a statement, "Almondbury Wesleyan Cricket Club can confirm that they were involved in an incident during a 20/20 cricket match between Denby Dale Cricket Club and Almondbury Wesleyan CC earlier this week at Denby Dale's cricket ground.

"During the second half of the match an incident took place involving a Denby Dale member and supporter, and a Wes cricket player who was fielding close to the boundary edge.

"The incident was serious enough to cause the umpires to stop the game and take the cricketers from the field of play.

"A few minutes later, and after consulting with the captains, the umpires decided to abandon the game."

OneIndia News