Rob Key Frustrated As Light Fiasco Robs Booing Fans Of Play On Day One

Rob Key left 'frustrated' as floodlight failure denies fans on day one

Abandoned match after floodlight failure leaves disappointed fans and frustrated Rob Key

England's new managing director of men's cricket, Rob Key, has expressed his disappointment after a floodlight failure at the Ageas Bowl robbed fans of any play on the first day of the second Test against New Zealand. With New Zealand having won the toss and opted to bat, the players were forced off the field after just 12.3 overs as one of the floodlights powering the famous old Cathedral End of the ground failed.

Delays and frustrations

There was a significant delay as engineers worked to fix the problem, but after more than two hours it was decided that it was not possible to resume play on Friday. The abandonment was a huge disappointment for the 10,000 fans who had turned up in anticipation of an exciting day's Test cricket. It was also a frustrating start to Key's tenure as England's new managing director, who had been hoping to see a positive response from the team following their innings defeat in the first Test at Lord's. “Frustrated is one word to describe it. I feel for the fans,” said Key. “For them to turn up, pay good money to watch Test match cricket, and then not get any cricket because of things outside of our control is bitterly disappointing. “It’s the nature of our game, but I feel desperately disappointed for everyone who’s turned up today, because we put a lot into preparing the pitch and getting everything ready, and to have it end like this is not ideal.”

Apologies to fans

Key, who was appointed as the successor to Ashley Giles last month, also apologized to the fans for the lack of play. “I can only apologize on behalf of everyone. The fans are the most important people in our game, and when they turn up and stump up their money, they deserve to see some cricket. Today, they didn’t get that, and I am very sorry for that,” he said. The abandonment means that England will have to win the second Test to level the series, with the third and final Test taking place at Headingley starting on June 23.