Headingley: The first one-day international between England and West Indies at Headingley was abandoned shortly after 3pm, after torrential morning rain left the newly relayed outfield saturated despite a brand-new state-of-the-art drainage system.
The two umpires, Nigel Llong and Steve Davis, conducted several pitch inspections but although the weather itself improved, the outfield remained drenched.
This is international cricket. We have international players on show and we have to be in the best possible position to give them the best chance to perform," Llong told Sky Sports. "We have to take all things into consideration and if the ground is not fit, unfortunately that's it."
Rain began hammering down at about 9.30am for two hours, then just as the groundstaff had started to remove the covers, another burst swept over the ground. Puddles began forming on the outfield and some areas around the boundary resembled a swamp.