A cricket team in Northern Ireland suffered a bizarre defeat after conceding a match because of a broken printer. Ballyspallen Cricket Club handed Eglinton victory when a technical issue stopped them from printing the required Duckworth-Lewis-Stern calculation sheet during a rain delay.
The unusual incident took place during a North West Cricket Union Premier League match on Saturday. Ballyspallen had made a strong start to their chase before rain stopped play, bringing the DLS method into play. However, the printer problem left them unable to produce the required calculation sheet.
Cricket Team in Northern Ireland Forced to Forfeit Match Because of Broken Printer
Ballyspallen Cricket Club suffered one of the most unusual defeats in cricket after a broken printer forced them to concede their North West Cricket Union Premier League match against Eglinton. The hosts were chasing 160 after bowling Eglinton out for 159 when rain stopped play.
Ballyspallen had reached 19 without loss after two overs when the weather interruption reduced the available playing time. Officials needed to use the DLS method to set a revised target, but the home side could not produce the required DLS sheet because its printer was not working.
Without the document, officials could not continue the match under the North West Cricket Union (NWCU) regulations. Ballyspallen were therefore forced to concede, handing Eglinton victory without another ball being bowled.
Strict NWCU Rule Turns Rain Delay Into Defeat
The NWCU regulations place responsibility for the DLS equipment on the home team. The rules require the host club to have: "a computer loaded with the necessary software, a compatible and operational printer with a sufficient supply of paper and ink, and a proficient operator".
The regulations also state that all the required equipment must be operational before the match begins. Since Ballyspallen could not produce the DLS sheet after the printer stopped working, they were unable to continue the match under the competition rules.
The hosts were in a decent position at 19/0 while chasing 160, having lost no wickets in the opening two overs. They therefore still had a chance to complete the chase if play resumed. However, the technical failure ended those hopes and handed Eglinton the victory without another ball being bowled.
Ballyspallen Remain Bottom of Premier League Table
Ballyspallen remain at the bottom of the Premier League table. The team had hoped to collect a fifth win, but their chase ended before they had a chance to build on their positive start.
Eglinton, meanwhile, collected the points after the unusual conclusion. Their bowlers did not need to return to the field after the rain delay, as the failure to produce the DLS sheet resulted in Ballyspallen conceding the match.
For Ballyspallen, the incident will be a frustrating one because the result was not decided by their batting or bowling performance. The incident also highlights the importance of checking all match equipment before play begins.
Also read: Middlesex forfeit first innings in bold bid to force County result
