What Does Match Suspended Mean In Cricket :Ultimate Guide

Cricket is a game filled with tradition, regulations, and terminologies that even the most ardent fans find confusing. One such term which are often used during a cricket match is “match suspended mean.” But what exactly happens when a cricket match is suspended? How is it different from other breaks like delays or abandoned matches? This blog will talk about the term suspended match, why it is conducted, and what effect it has on teams and players, and what is done after the match has been suspended.

What does Match Suspended Mean in Cricket?

Cricket matches get suspended after a postponement for unavoidable reasons that require temporary postponement. The match faces temporary interruption until the restarting is planned because suspended matches differ from delayed matches and matches that get abandoned entirely.

A cricket match suspended follows the rules set by the International Cricket Council for match arrangers or board regulations for matches played in their bounded territories. The match referee guides the umpires who need to suspend a game.

Reasons for Match Suspension

There are several reasons why a match can be suspended in cricket. Some of the most probable reasons are given below:

1. Weather Conditions

Rain: The most frequent reason for a match to be postponed is rain. If rain falls persistently or heavily, play can be abandoned with a view to improving the weather.

Poor Light: In Tests and in certain other matches, poor light (being unable to see due to insufficient natural or artificial light) will delay the match.

Storms or Lightning: Safety concerns due to lightning or heavy storms can also result in a match being suspended.

2. Unsafe Playing Conditions

If the pitch, outfield, or other playing surfaces are made unsafe by excessive water, improper maintenance, or damage, the match is suspended.

Examples like a partially collapsed building structure of a stadium, or an unsafe outfield situation as a result of excessive wear and tear, can also cause suspension.

3. Technical Issues

In the event of a serious breakdown of fundamental infrastructure, such as floodlights during a day-night match or the Decision Review System (DRS) not working due to technical issues, the match can be temporarily suspended.

4. Player or Crowd Safety Issues

• Security issues such as invasion of the pitch, protest, or crowd disturbance might force suspension.
• Catastrophic incidents such as players being injured due to accidents on the field can trigger a suspension of a match.

5. Unexpected Circumstances

Political catastrophes or natural calamities, unexpected tragedies like fire, or any significant interruption can trigger a suspension of a match.

What Occurs When a Match is Suspended?

The following activities are performed when a match is suspended:

1. Waiting Time

• Ground personnel, umpires, and match referees monitor the situation so that they can ascertain if the match can be continued within a reasonable time.
• ICC and tournament regulations dictate how much time teams are allowed to wait before a decision is made.

2. Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) Method for Limited-Overs Cricket

• In an interrupted limited-overs match where the interruption persists, the DLS method is employed to estimate a new target.
• Where the majority of the match has been completed, the result may be determined on the basis of calculations under the DLS procedure.

3. Resumption or Postponement

• When the weather improves, the match continues from where it left off.
• Where continuation on the same day is not possible, the match can be timed to the reserve day (if provided).

4. Match Declared Drawn or Abandoned

• A Test cricket match, if abandoned for a very long time and not feasible to be completed, is a draw.
• For ODIs and T20 Internationals, the match is abandoned if the minimum overs are not bowled and a “No Result” is declared.

High-Profile Match Suspensions of Cricket History

1. 1996 Cricket World Cup Semi-Final (India vs. Sri Lanka)

The match was interrupted due to unrest among the crowds at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, and the match was given to Sri Lanka.

2. 2019 Ashes Series (England vs. Australia, Lord’s Test)

The match kept getting delayed time and again due to rain and fading light, which affected the Test match result.

3. IPL 2021 (Covid-19 Pandemic)

The tournament was canceled mid-season with rising cases of COVID-19 among players and support staff, a first such disruption in cricketing.

Conclusion

A match suspended in cricket is a temporary suspension of play for varied purposes, such as weather, players’ safety, technical issues, or unforeseen circumstances. Unlike a match abandonment, a match suspended guarantees resumption. A match is suspended by umpires and match officials after evaluating conditions to ensure player safety and the game’s integrity. Understanding the term match suspension makes observers value the nuances in the game of cricket and how officials do everything possible to ensure fair play is upheld.

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