Sun stops play! Unbelievable interruption occurs in Kent vs Gloucestershire Vitality T20 Blast clash
Published - 19 Jun 2025, 11:50 AM
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In one of the strangest moments the game has seen in its 180-year history, a Vitality T20 Blast match between Kent Spitfires and Gloucestershire came to a sudden and bizarre halt on Wednesday, June 18, and that was not because of rain or bad light, but because of the sun.
The rare incident unfolded during the Kent Spitfires versus Gloucestershire T20 Blast clash at the St. Lawrence Ground in Canterbury. Gloucestershire were chasing a target of 158 and had made a steady start, with openers Miles Hammond and D’Arcy Short looking in control at 29/0.
Vitality T20 Blast match paused by the Sun in Canterbury!!
But just four overs into their innings, something truly bizarre happened in the Vitality T20 Blast match. At 8:15 PM local time, the players were forced to leave the field as the setting sun’s blinding rays shot directly into the Gloucestershire batters' eyes from the Nackington Road End.
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D’Arcy Short had just hammered a six off Wes Agar, but both Gloucestershire openers signaled to the umpires that they simply couldn’t see the ball anymore due to the sunlight. And the umpires had to stop the game due to excessive sunlight, leading to the rare ruling of "sun stopped play."
The match was delayed for 11 minutes, and that was enough for the momentum to shift dramatically. Gloucestershire Cricket confirmed the interruption on X, as they stated, “Sun stops play. 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. The score remains 29/0 [3.2].”
☀️ Sun stops play.
— Gloucestershire Cricket 🏆 (@Gloscricket) June 18, 2025
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.
Score remains 29/0 [3.2].#BecomeGlorious pic.twitter.com/M8BOf21uGC
Gloucestershire thrash Kent Spitfires by 7 wickets to register first win of this Vitality T20 Blast season
As play resumed, Gloucestershire’s rhythm was shattered. The once-settled opening pair, Miles Hammond and D’Arcy Short, lost the momentum, and Kent Spitfires got the three wickets in just ten balls immediately after the break due to excessive sunlight.
However, the defending Vitality T20 Blast champions, Gloucestershire, managed to get back the momentum as they comfortably chased down the target in 18.2 overs, thrashing the Kent Spitfires by seven wickets at Canterbury to record their first win of the season.
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Gloucestershire captain Jack Taylor led the way with a solid knock of 54 runs from 36 balls. He got good support from Oliver Price, who scored 41 off 31 balls, guiding the team to the easy win. Earlier in the T20 Blast match, Kent Spitfires posted a total of 157 for 9 in their 20 overs after opting to bat first.
Harry Finch was the top scorer with 42 runs, while captain Sam Billings played a handy knock of 38 runs. Gloucestershire’s bowlers did a good job of keeping things tight. Ajeet Singh Dale was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 24 runs. David Payne was also impressive, giving away just 18 runs in his 4 overs at an economy rate of 4.5 and picking up one wicket.
Napier’s McLean Park has a history of solar drama
Notably, back in 2020, a similar scene unfolded at McLean Park in Napier during the 3rd T20I between New Zealand and Pakistan. Just like in Canterbury, the setting sun created a blinding glare, making it difficult for the batters to spot the ball. Play had to be stopped until the sun dipped low enough for safe visibility, and only then did the home team continue their innings.
Even before that, the same ground witnessed this rare spectacle in January 2019 during an ODI between New Zealand and India. And at that time as well, the sun’s low angle made it too dangerous to play for the batters, forcing an unusual break in action at McLean Park.
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