Cricket match abandoned after players hurt

Roddy Ashworth

A CRICKET match was abandoned after two fielders trying to catch a flying ball collided with each other and crashed injured to the ground.

The Marshall Hatchick Two Counties League game, between Frinton and Abberton, was in its 37th over when Frinton batsman Ben Foakes hit the ball hard towards the boundary.

Abberton players Matt Gilray and Mark Copson were both trying to catch the ball when they collided at speed, smashing their heads together.

Fortunately a doctor was watching the match, held at Frinton's Ashlyn's Road ground, and was able to attend to the men immediately after the collision.

They were then taken to hospital where they were x-rayed. Despite the severity of the impact, neither player was seriously hurt.

Ipswich-based Martin White, who was umpiring the game, said that neither of the teams wanted to continue the game following the shocking incident.

“The batsman hit the ball deep - Matt Gilray took three or four paces to the left and was just ready to take the catch when Mark Copson came running in.

“The collision was sickening. I could hear the crunch from standing at square leg. It was horrible.

“Gilray was in a bad way and Copson didn't know what time of day it was.

“A paramedic came about 15 minutes later and then the ambulance, and they were taken to hospital in Colchester.”

Abberton and District Cricket Club spokesman Barry Rudlin said he followed the ambulance to Colchester General Hospital where both men were treated.

“The sound of the collision made me shudder. It was harrowing when they hit each other. There was blood everywhere.

“However, no bones were broken. Mark Copson has got a hairline fracture in his cheek, but he has been cleared to play.

“Matt Gilray has now been given a clean bill of health.

“We were relieved at the outcome after seeing what happened.”

Both teams now hope to replay the match on the August Bank Holiday Monday if given permission by the league's committee.