Scotland-England ODI Cancelled 24 Days Early

Scotland-England ODI Cancelled 24 Days Early

Recent heavy rain has left part of the Citylets Grange in Edinburgh underwater.

©Cricket Scotland

Cricket Scotland have announced with “regret” that the One-Day International that was due to take place on 12th August against England has been cancelled due to the recent and expected heavy rain.

Over a third of the outfield at the Citylets Grange in Edinburgh was flooded recently after the Water of Leith burst its banks, leaving some parts five feet under water and destroying around 40 metres of the perimeter wall.

A statement from Cricket Scotland said, “Following more heavy rain and flooding yesterday, and with an unsettled forecast for the next two weeks, the Grange Club and Cricket Scotland cannot be certain that the ground will either be playable on the day or, most importantly from a safety point of view, dry enough to take the significant infrastructure involved in constructing the arena for the game.

Although the game is still three weeks away, the 3,200 temporary seats and large marquees were to be erected from seven to 10 days beforehand. There is no guarantee this could be achieved without significant and lasting damage to the ground. 

Cricket Scotland and the ECB have together spent considerable time looking at alternative options to stage the game, but at such short notice there were none found that were either practical or achievable.”

England were due to play Scotland in the gap between the second and third Test matches against South Africa; a decision that had been causing some displeasure among their players and management. It had been speculated that they would send a virtual ‘A’ team to Edinburgh in order not to disrupt their preparation for the final Test – a move which would have doubtless proved controversial – so they may be quietly pleased at today’s news.

© Cricket World 2012