Bizarre! Cricket team loses match due to broken press – here’s how

Cricket Accessories (Photo AFP) A broken printer led to a cricket team abandoning a match in Northern Ireland, turning what looked like a normal rain interruption into a highly unusual defeat.Ballyspallen played at home to Eglinton in the North West Cricket Union Premier League on Saturday. Eglinton were bowled out for 159 runs in 48.1 overs and Ballyspallen began their chase. The home side scored 19 runs after two overs when the rain stopped playing.Due to the weather, the number of overs in the match was expected to be reduced. The officials therefore had to use the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, which is used in cricket to set a modified target when rain interrupts a limited-overs match.However, the requested DLS sheet could not be produced as the Ballyspallen printer was down. Without a document, the officials could not continue the match according to the rules of the competition.Eglinton were subsequently awarded the win, although another ball was not bowled after a rain delay. The unusual decision was based on North West Cricket Union regulations which specifically deal with situations where a DLS calculation cannot be provided.

Home team penalized according to strict rules

According to the rules, the team hosting the match must concede immediately if the DLS sheet for both teams and referees cannot be submitted.The regulations also clearly state that the home club should have “a computer loaded with the necessary software, a compatible and operable printer with an adequate supply of paper and ink, and proficient staff.”The NWCU further says that this device must be “functional” before the match begins. Ballyspallen’s failure to comply with this requirement therefore proved costly.A technical problem prevented Ballyspallen from continuing their chase and potentially securing a fifth Premier League victory. Instead, Eglinton took the points without having to play another delivery, while Ballyspallen remain bottom of the league table.