Cricket: TCCB exerts law of equity: Surrey and Leicestershire denied replay
AFTER the inconvenience of having Sunday's AXA Equity and Law League game abandoned because of an unfit pitch at Grace Road, Surrey and Leicestershire have not only been refused permission to reschedule the fixture but have also been informed that they should have tried harder to complete the original contest.
In the interests of fairness and anxious not to set 'a precedent which could rebound on us', Alan Smith, the chief executive of the Test and County Cricket Board, yesterday urged clubs to try harder to improvise in such circumstances. 'A crowd is there and many people may not be able to come back on another day. Limited overs, limited run-ups, even the cutting of another pitch on the edge of the square should be considered.' On this occasion, both sides agreed that the rain which had seeped under the covers made it unsafe to stage a 40-over game using reduced run-ups and spectators were offered a refund or a ticket for a future match.
In a temporary measure prompted by Tony Wright's resignation last week, Gloucestershire have appointed Jack Russell vice-captain to Courtney Walsh. The pair will work together on all team matters, including selection, until the end of the season.
Dominic Cork, Derbyshire's trump card in the Benson and Hedges Cup final, may be forced to miss an opportunity to show his paces against the Australians today after aggravating a persistent knee injury at Lord's.
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