Prithvi Shaw’s County clash for Northants abandoned due to dangerous pitch

The Division 2 County Championship match between Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire on August 29 (Thursday) in Bristol, which involved Indian opener Prithvi Shaw, was called off mid-way through Day 1 after officials deemed the pitch ‘dangerous’. 

The decision was taken by the on-field umpires on the 65th over of the day, after Northamptonshire batter Rob Keogh got hit dangerously on the gloves after a good length delivery from Ajeet Singh Dale took off unexpectedly.

The blow suffered by Keogh proved to be the final straw as earlier in the day, Northants opener Ricardo Vasconcelos was forced to retire hurt after suffering a suspected broken finger. 

“The match has been abandoned because there was a foreseeable risk to the batters. In the opinion of the umpires, it would be unreasonable to continue,” read a statement from the umpires, reported Telegraph Sport.

Northamptonshire, in fact, batted second on the track. It was the hosts Gloucestershire who batted first and got rolled over for 125 on the back of a sizzling seven-fer from right-arm seamer Justin Broad. The umpires decided to take the decision in the 30th over of Northants’ innings. Gloucestershire’s innings lasted 36.1 overs. 

“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,” read a statement from Gloucestershire.

“We expect there will be an ECB investigation and we will of course assist them at all stages of that investigation.”

The clash, as revealed by Gloucestershire, took place on a hybrid pitch.

“Pitches with a mixture of natural and artificial grass have been tried around the country, firstly in white-ball games and now in the championship, and have been found to have some extra life in them, being grassier,” Telegraph sport said in their report.

As far as Shaw is concerned, there was no joy for the 24-year-old, who perished for a brisk 34 after nicking off to Ajeet Singh. 

In his previous appearance, against Middlesex, Shaw registered scores of 24 & 7. He’s had a middling red-ball season for Northants so far, having scored just 158 runs in four appearances at an average of 22.57.

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