ENGLISH cricket has been mired in controversy after a Twenty20 Cup quarter-final between Durham and Yorkshire was called off because of an ineligible player. The England and Wales Cricket Board acted after determining that Yorkshire had failed to register Azeem Rafiq as a first-class player for an earlier decisive group match against Nottinghamshire.
Fans were furious as the match was called off just minutes before it was due to begin and they were left to make their way home following a pointless journey.
The ECB's disciplinary commission will meet on Friday (EST) to determine what action should be taken against Yorkshire.
Chief executive David Collier insisted the ECB said they could not have taken any other course of action other than postpone the match.
"I don't think we could have done any more than what we've been doing today,'' he said.
"It has been a mad rush. The worst would have been to just ignore it and act as though nothing had happened and let the game go ahead with the knowledge that the game may well have to be replayed.''
Rafiq, 17, has captained England Under-15s - yet there are also question marks against his British nationality.
Yorkshire's director of cricket Martyn Moxon suggested the ECB knew of the issue within days of their June 27 match against Notts, when the mix-up occurred.
"I can only apologise to everybody concerned - the players from both teams are absolutely devastated with what's gone on today,'' Moxon told the BBC.
Rafiq is understood to have been eligible to play for Yorkshire at every level below the first team - but he bowled two overs against Notts.
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