T20 shield match abandoned due to altercation between player and spectator

In a match between Almondbury Wesleyans and Denby Dale Cricket Club a strange incident happened which forced the match to be abandoned. It was a local Twenty20 shield match between the two teams when a Chris Sykes a Wesleyans player alleged that an opposition supporter from the crowd hit him. The exchange happened after the two had a verbal altercation.

The issue being sensitive left Almondbury Wesleyans with no alternative other than calling the game off and it ended in a tie. Norman Clee general secretary of the Drakes Cricket League issued a statement which said that the match officials are to submit a report on the issue and they are awaiting it. Once the report is filed they will take due action against those guilty. He also said that the player involved Chris Sykes won’t be a part of Almondbury team for the upcoming match on Saturday.

Clee was quoted by examiner.co.uk saying, “I am awaiting an official umpire’s report. However, I do know that Almondbury Wesleyans have conceded the match.  The player concerned, (Mr Sykes), won’t be selected for the Wesleyan’s Conference match against Denby Dale on Saturday.”

The Almondbury club also issued an official statement on the incident did happen on the ground during the course of the game and that an inquiry in the case is awaited. “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,” the statement read.

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It further stated that “A few minutes later, and after consulting with the captains, the umpires decided to abandon the game. Both Almondbury Wesleyan Cricket Club and the Drakes Huddersfield Cricket League have launched their own separate investigations into the incident which we expect will be completed shortly.”

Richard Hobson, chairman of the Denby Dale Cricket Club, was also present at the match. Following the incident, Hobson said that he was engrossed in something else while the reported incident took place and so didn’t witness it himself. He also added that the club is trying its level best to ensure that upcoming match between the same opponents on Saturday is played in the right spirit.

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