Following a large amount of rain throughout the day and during the night on Monday, the start of day three of the Roses game at Emerald Headingley was delayed. Play then began at midday but only 23.2 overs were possible before the umpires brought the players off the field due to an unfit and unsafe outfield. Play was later abandoned for the day with the conditions not having improved sufficiently.
Umpires Ian Gould and Nigel Llong deemed the outfield fit for a 12pm start, but conditions worsened as the afternoon went on with water rising to the surface in some of the key playing areas where the most activity had taken place, including on the bowler’s run ups. This was primarily at the Emerald Stand of the ground.
Analysis of the outfield at that end has previously taken place and has identified issues with a layer of thatch that can cause a build up of water on the surface following heavy rain-fall.
The Club had originally planned to get the outfield re-laid prior to the 2021 season but unfortunately difficulties arising due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in this being delayed. The Club intend on completing this work at the end of this season.
