‘Disgraceful scenes’: Charity cricket match abandoned after ugly brawl

A charity cricket match in Kent descended into chaos when two teams became embroiled in a violent brawl.

Footage has emerged on social media of the moment players started attacking each other on the field, some wielding bats while others threw punches.

An umpire is seen in the middle of the altercation trying to restore order while spectators scream in the background.

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The charity tournament was organised to raise funds for Share for Care, an organisation that helps those in need of medical care in Pakistan.

As reported by Wisden, police and paramedics were called to the scene where four people were treated for injuries, one of which was transported to a nearby hospital.

A Kent Police spokesman said: “We were called at around 6.50pm on Sunday regarding a disturbance at a sportsground in Willow Way, Maidstone.

“Officers attended and spoke to those who were present at the scene.

“There have been no arrests at this stage and inquiries are continuing into the incident.”

Disgraceful scenes during a charity match which had to be abandoned after a fight between the two teams. The violence erupted at the end of a game at Mote Park Cricket Club in Maidstone during a tournament raising money for those in need of medical treatment in Pakistan pic.twitter.com/uGOYPuc3z2

One of the event’s organisers told KentOnline: “We tried our best for charity and these lunatics just spoiled it. At the end of the day, we were having the final match and it was the last couple of overs when some guys came on the pitch and attacked a few of the players.

“I don’t know what the main reason was behind it, but there were some troublemakers in the ground. They started fighting with their bats and hitting people.

“I was far away from it, but by the time I got near, they were still fighting and swearing at each other.

“We are not happy – we don’t tolerate this behaviour.

“I told them then that what they’d done was a disgrace. There should be stiff action against the players involved.

“We won’t let these people come into the ground in the future – we know their faces and we can’t take that risk ever again.”

Gravesend Cricket Club chairman Tim Hance claimed players from his club were unfairly targeted in the incident, calling for those responsible to be banned from competing in the county.

“It has shocked the whole club and people outside the club from other teams,” he said.

“There is outrage as to how this could this could have happened.

“We are pushing everyone involved to ensure this is not brushed under the carpet.”

The Mote Cricket Club, which hosted the event, released a statement on Monday distancing itself from the incident.

“We do not oversee and are not responsible for behaviour of any of those who commercially rent our ground,” the statement read.

“We do not condone these events, and are saddened and disappointed in the organisers and those involved with the incident.”

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