CRICKET bosses have denied that “negligence” by ground staff led to a match in Hampshire being cancelled.

Fans criticised groundsmen for leaving parts of the square at the Ageas Bowl uncovered before an “astonishing” hail shower which left the match abandoned before the first ball.

Hundreds of fans and more than 30 schools had travelled to watch the NatWest T20 Blast match between Hampshire and Sussex and some supporters said the venue should have been more cautious following forecasts of torrential downpours.

As reported by the Daily Echo umpires Steve Garratt and Tim Robinson made the decision to abandon the match 45 minutes before play on Friday night because puddles made the pitch unplayable.

James Brockway, 46, was on a stag do with teammates from Milburys cricket club and friends who had travelled from around the county.

"We're pretty miffed," he said. "We don't understand why they haven't put the cover at least on the square.

"It looks like a big storm's come in and it's absolutely drenched – literally, it was a river coming down the road – but surely you should have the covers on."

But the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) launched an investigation and said it did not blame Hampshire Cricket.

A statement said: “ECB has gathered information from all parties on the events that led to the abandonment of the Hampshire v Sussex NatWest T20 Blast match on Friday 17 June and confirms that there is no negligence from Hampshire Cricket.

“The Groundstaff did all that could reasonably be expected of them given the circumstances that prevailed.”