5 unusual reasons which stopped play in a cricket match

There have been numerous instances where poor light or rain has stopped play in a cricket match. Sometimes, even rains have caused the games to be halted and played the next day if there is a reserve day. 

This happened with India twice in ICC and ACC events. Their 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand was played across two days. New Zealand completed their innings on the first day and India had to bat the next day as play was not possible due to rain after the Black Caps' innings. This didn’t bode well for India as they were routed by Kiwi pacers.

In a recent Asia Cup 2023 match, India and Pakistan played a two-dayer in Colombo, with Men in Blue decimating Pakistan in a one-sided affair. There have been many more bizarre reasons why a match had to be stopped midway or abandoned completely.

Here are 5 unusual reasons why stopped play in a cricket match:

5. Too much sunlight in New Zealand

Yes, you read it correctly. During the Napier ODI between New Zealand and India in 2019, too much sunlight was the reason behind the stoppage of play during India’s innings. McLean Park, the venue of this match, is known for this event quite frequently, due to its architecture.  At the venue, the setting sun at around 7 PM, forms an awkward angle that directs sunlight straight into the batter’s eyes.

The reason this happens at McLean Park is because of the east-west alignment of the pitches at the ground. Most cricket grounds have pitches running north to south. This makes it unsafe for the batter’s vision and dangerous to play cricket. Previously in 2017, a T20I between Bangladesh and New Zealand was held up because of the same issue.