In a rare and bizarre turn of events, a T20 Blast match between Kent Spitfires and Gloucestershire at the St. Lawrence Ground in Canterbury was temporarily halted—not due to rain or bad light, but because of excessive sunlight. The incident, which occurred at 8:15 PM local time, saw umpires call for a break as the setting sun’s glare blinded the batters, making it unsafe to continue play.
☀️ “Sun Stops Play”: A First for Many
Gloucestershire Cricket confirmed the interruption on social media, stating:
“Rather than rain, the sun is in the eyes of the batters. For the safety of the players, the sides have come off the pitch.”
At the time of the stoppage, Gloucestershire were chasing a target of 158 and had reached 29/0 in 3.2 overs. The match resumed after an 11-minute delay, and Gloucestershire went on to win by seven wickets, with Jack Taylor (54)* and Oliver Price (41)* steering the team home in 18.2 overs.
🏏 Not the First Time Sunlight Has Interrupted Cricket
While rare, this isn’t the first time sunlight has disrupted a match. Similar incidents occurred:
- In 1995, during a Test at Old Trafford, when light from a greenhouse forced early tea.
- In 2019 and 2020, at McLean Park in Napier, New Zealand, where the setting sun halted ODIs and T20Is due to visibility issues.
🌤️ A Quirky Reminder of Cricket’s Outdoor Nature
This unusual stoppage serves as a reminder that cricket, despite its modern infrastructure, remains at the mercy of nature—not just rain and fog, but even the sun.
Stay tuned for more updates from the Vitality T20 Blast.
