Stewart concedes defeat on grounds of safety

England captain Alec Stewart conceded defeat on the grounds of safety today as the England–Pakistan Tri–Nations game in Leeds ended in a field invasion that left a steward reportedly with a broken nose.

Although other games have been halted by the match officials because of crowd misbehavior, it is believed to be the first time a team captain has surrended a game for safety reasons.

The invasion happened with Pakistan cruising to victory on 155 for four with 10.1 overs left, needing just two more runs to beat England's 156.

More than 200 fans ran onto the field and players ran for cover. When the pitch was cleared one of the stewards was left lying injured on the main square. He was eventually carried from the field and radio reports said he was thought to have a broken nose.

It is the second time in the current series that a crowd invasion has occurred before the end of the match. The first came during the day–night England v Pakistan match at Edgbaston on June 7 when Pakistan fans, believing England's final wicket had fallen, ran onto the square. The game was restarted after a long delay.