13-07-2021, 21:27
Play was suspended early on day three of Yorkshire's game against Lancashire at Headingley because of "unfit and unsafe" areas of the outfield.
Yorkshire's Dom Leech hurt his knee colliding with concrete foundations of the Western Terrace after lunch.
The bowler received treatment on the field for about 15 minutes before being taken to hospital for an X-ray.
Umpires Ian Gould and Nigel Llong abandoned play shortly after 16:30 BST with Lancashire on 411-2.
"Play has been abandoned for the day due to unfit and unsafe conditions," Yorkshire said.
"Water has risen to the surface in key areas, where there has been most activity, including the bowlers' run-ups."
Play started an hour late at 12:00 BST after Monday's action was washed out without a ball being bowled following heavy rain in Leeds.
But about 30 minutes after lunch, right-arm seamer Leech slipped and lost his footing as he tried to save a boundary running around from wide long-on before colliding with the railing and concrete base of the stand.
After he was helped off the field to continue receiving treatment to his left leg, the bowlers' run up at the Emerald Stand end of the ground was inspected and the players were taken off.
An early tea followed and two more inspections before play was officially abandoned for the day.
Emerald Headingley
Play was washed out on Monday by heavy rain at Headingley and also delayed by an hour on the third morning
Yorkshire later confirmed they are planning to relay areas of the outfield following concerns about that end of the ground.
"Analysis has previously taken place and identified issues with a layer of thatch that can cause a build-up of water on the surface following heavy rainfall," the club said.
"We had originally planned to get the outfield re-laid before this 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."
The match is now destined for a draw with both sides already having booked their qualification in Division One of the second phase of this season's County Championship.
Which six teams will progress in the County Championship?
Follow day three's action as it happens
But Yorkshire earlier missed the chance to gain any bowling bonus points as Lancashire moved on from their overnight 273-2 to 342-2 at the end of 110 overs.
It means Lancashire gained three batting points. The two sides will take half the total number of points gained in matches against each other into the next phase.
Luke Wells (97 not out) and Josh Bohannon (74 not out) pressed Lancashire on beyond 400 after lunch in a partnership worth 155 so far before Leech's injury curtailed play.
Yorkshire head coach Andrew Gale told BBC Radio Leeds:
"Dom's gone to hospital to get an X-ray to see what the damage is. Whether he's slipped and done something mechanical to his knee or he's hit it on the sponsorship board at the side is unsure.
"But fingers crossed, it's not too serious. He's slipped trying to flick the ball back and his leg's sort of gone underneath him and his momentum's carried him into the sponsor's board.
"I went over and Dom's a pretty touch cookie and he was in a lot of pain. He was asking for pain relief right away so we hope he'll be OK.
"That side of the ground has been a concern for a few years. The problem is the water comes up as more people stand on it.
"At the start of play, it was OK. Jordan Thompson struggled with his run up and pulled out twice and a few lads said the water was coming from underneath.
"I'm not an expert, but since that new stand was built, there's been a problem with the ground on that whole side.
"I think it was the right decision. The umpires were concerned for the players' safety, they don't want to see Jimmy Anderson running in and rolling his ankle over on their watch.
"I feel for the fans who've turned up today wanting to see some cricket. Hopefully this sun will bake the outfield for a few hours and come out again in the morning and we can get on."
Lancashire coach Glen Chapple:
"We had a lot of rain yesterday. We got here this morning and the ground was still wet.
"Maybe the heat has brought more moisture up and it's gone from being just playable to not playable.
"It's disappointing for the players and supporters, but unfortunately the ground's not fit at the moment."
Yorkshire's Dom Leech hurt his knee colliding with concrete foundations of the Western Terrace after lunch.
The bowler received treatment on the field for about 15 minutes before being taken to hospital for an X-ray.
Umpires Ian Gould and Nigel Llong abandoned play shortly after 16:30 BST with Lancashire on 411-2.
"Play has been abandoned for the day due to unfit and unsafe conditions," Yorkshire said.
"Water has risen to the surface in key areas, where there has been most activity, including the bowlers' run-ups."
Play started an hour late at 12:00 BST after Monday's action was washed out without a ball being bowled following heavy rain in Leeds.
But about 30 minutes after lunch, right-arm seamer Leech slipped and lost his footing as he tried to save a boundary running around from wide long-on before colliding with the railing and concrete base of the stand.
After he was helped off the field to continue receiving treatment to his left leg, the bowlers' run up at the Emerald Stand end of the ground was inspected and the players were taken off.
An early tea followed and two more inspections before play was officially abandoned for the day.
Emerald Headingley
Play was washed out on Monday by heavy rain at Headingley and also delayed by an hour on the third morning
Yorkshire later confirmed they are planning to relay areas of the outfield following concerns about that end of the ground.
"Analysis has previously taken place and identified issues with a layer of thatch that can cause a build-up of water on the surface following heavy rainfall," the club said.
"We had originally planned to get the outfield re-laid before this 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."
The match is now destined for a draw with both sides already having booked their qualification in Division One of the second phase of this season's County Championship.
Which six teams will progress in the County Championship?
Follow day three's action as it happens
But Yorkshire earlier missed the chance to gain any bowling bonus points as Lancashire moved on from their overnight 273-2 to 342-2 at the end of 110 overs.
It means Lancashire gained three batting points. The two sides will take half the total number of points gained in matches against each other into the next phase.
Luke Wells (97 not out) and Josh Bohannon (74 not out) pressed Lancashire on beyond 400 after lunch in a partnership worth 155 so far before Leech's injury curtailed play.
Yorkshire head coach Andrew Gale told BBC Radio Leeds:
"Dom's gone to hospital to get an X-ray to see what the damage is. Whether he's slipped and done something mechanical to his knee or he's hit it on the sponsorship board at the side is unsure.
"But fingers crossed, it's not too serious. He's slipped trying to flick the ball back and his leg's sort of gone underneath him and his momentum's carried him into the sponsor's board.
"I went over and Dom's a pretty touch cookie and he was in a lot of pain. He was asking for pain relief right away so we hope he'll be OK.
"That side of the ground has been a concern for a few years. The problem is the water comes up as more people stand on it.
"At the start of play, it was OK. Jordan Thompson struggled with his run up and pulled out twice and a few lads said the water was coming from underneath.
"I'm not an expert, but since that new stand was built, there's been a problem with the ground on that whole side.
"I think it was the right decision. The umpires were concerned for the players' safety, they don't want to see Jimmy Anderson running in and rolling his ankle over on their watch.
"I feel for the fans who've turned up today wanting to see some cricket. Hopefully this sun will bake the outfield for a few hours and come out again in the morning and we can get on."
Lancashire coach Glen Chapple:
"We had a lot of rain yesterday. We got here this morning and the ground was still wet.
"Maybe the heat has brought more moisture up and it's gone from being just playable to not playable.
"It's disappointing for the players and supporters, but unfortunately the ground's not fit at the moment."
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