FOUR OTHER ENGLAND TESTS THAT ENDED IN FARCE...

1975 v AUSTRALIA HEADINGLEY

THE third Test at Headingley had to be abandoned on the fifth day after vandals campaigning for the release of convicted robber George Davis sabotaged the pitch (above). The game was tantalisingly poised, with Australia on 220 for three chasing 445 for victory, but the perpetrators used knives and oil to wreck the Leeds wicket.

1981 v WEST INDIES GEORGETOWN

THE match was called off hours before it was due to start as a result of Robin Jackman’s presence in the England team. Jackman, who was called up as a replacement for the injured Bob Willis and was yet to make his Test debut, had played provincial cricket in apartheid South Africa and the Guyanese government duly withdrew his visitor’s permit. England then said they would not play in the game and the Test was cancelled.

1998 v WEST INDIES KINGSTON

THE first Test of England’s tour of the Caribbean was called off with England on 17 for three after 10.1 overs as several batsmen had been struck by balls lifting dangerously high off the pitch. There was only 56 minutes of cricket played before the umpires decided the pitch was too dangerous and brought the players off.

2009 v WEST INDIES NORTH SOUND

THE second Test in Antigua was called off after 10 balls because of an unfit pitch (above). Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook were brought off with the score on seven without loss on the first day as the safety of the bowlers was jeopardised due to excess sand that had been placed on the pitch. It is the shortest Test ever played.