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Joe Root\u2019s hopes of a final World Cup warm-up at Headingley were washed out after the first match of their ODI Series against Ireland was abandoned due to concerns over the bowlers\u2019 run-ups.<\/p>\n
Root had requested to play at his home ground \u2013 the only member of the tournament team to feature in what was essentially a second string \u2013 after struggling for form in the recent clashes with New Zealand, but saw his hopes of a confidence-boosting innings dashed.<\/p>\n
The match was officially abandoned at 4.50pm \u2013 more than four hours and several inspections after the scheduled start time \u2013 with rain having wrecked bowlers\u2019 approach at the Kirkstall Lane End.<\/p>\n
When the decision was finally made by umpires Mike Burns and Adrian Holdstock the skies had been dry for the best part of three hours, usually enough time to complete the mopping up work.<\/p>\n
But, while the main covers successfully protected the pitch itself, groundstaff were unable to protect an area of the square that is seen as a non-negotiable in terms of player safety. Questions over how and why such an important area of the pitch was left unfit for play will surely be raised, with the quality of covers and drainage among the issues ripe for exploration.<\/p>\n
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England captain Zak Crawley, who was due to lead his country for the first time, was frustrated by the lack of action but accepted that conditions were not playable for international cricket.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was very disappointed we didn\u2019t get a game on. It was just the run-up at one end, really. It wasn\u2019t fit for play and I think that was probably right in the end,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got guys tearing in there and you don\u2019t want them not performing at their best, that\u2019s not what people come to see. I think as soon as there\u2019s any doubt, they probably made the right decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was very wet and would have churned up if we\u2019d played on it. It wouldn\u2019t have been fit for the bowlers. We were unlucky with the weather leading into the game and then rain all this morning as well. I\u2019m not sure there\u2019s anymore the groundsmen could have done, they worked very hard to try and get the game on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crawley suggested a place would be held open for Root in the second match at Trent Bridge on Saturday, but the expectation is that he will now join the remaining members of the World Cup squad in returning home and enjoying some down time before a gruelling seven-week tournament.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s going to rest now before the World Cup. That was his plan before, anyway,\u201d said Crawley.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not certain, but if he wants to have a bat that\u2019s his decision, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n
Around 10,000 paying fans were left disappointed by their day, with a further 4,000 tickets estimated to have been distributed via local clubs and schools.<\/p>\n
Whether a more creative solution might have been available is something of a moot point given the strict playing conditions which govern international cricket, with Crawley unmoved by the idea of completing a 20-over match from just one end or using a reserve pitch at short notice.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThat\u2019s a tough one. You don\u2019t want to lose what the game is, changing the rules too much,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t want to make it too different from what the game usually is. I supposed there are some things we could do in the future but for now I\u2019m not sure there\u2019s anything they could have done.\u201d<\/p>\n