CHIEF executive David Leatherdale says the poor weather conspired against Worcestershire in their NatWest T20 Blast quarter-final against Hampshire at New Road.

Leatherdale said the option of installing temporary floodlights had briefly been discussed with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Rapids crashed to a 17-run defeat under the Duckworth Lewis method when bad light halted play in Friday’s sold-out last eight clash.

The umpires took the players off due to “dangerous” conditions with the Rapids at 58-2 off 8.1 overs in reply to Hampshire’s daunting 196-4 off 20 overs.

Leatherdale said: "The decision to stay with the same start time of 5.30pm, the same as all our group games that were played on a Friday evening, was agreed with and by the ECB.

"With four quarter finals taking place that week there was only one weekend-afternoon slot in which the game could have been played - Saturday.

"The other three grounds - Hove, Edgbaston and Canterbury - have floodlights but, due to Kent hosting the England Women's Ashes Test on the three available evening days - Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - the only day they could host was the Saturday afternoon - meaning we would host an evening match.

"On a day when sunset was not due until 8.36pm, and with a scheduled finishing time of 8.15pm, it was felt by both the club and the ECB that it was not unreasonable to therefore start at the same time as our group games namely 5.30pm.

"The lead up to the game saw probably the worst day of the summer we have had so far with torrential rain overnight, as well as during the day of the game - 40mm+ in total, combined with a great deal of low cloud.

"While bringing the game forwarded to a 4.30pm start could have been an option, on this occasion it would not have helped as, with the rain leading up to the match and on the day itself, the match would not have started before 5.30pm meaning light would potentially still be an issue on this specific day.”

Leatherdale added: "With regards the use of the reserve day, ECB rules and regulations state that every effort to complete the game on the schedule day should be made, hence the use of the Duckworth Lewis method.

"It is obviously very disappointing to lose on the Duckworth Lewis system with the light fading considerably earlier than could normally be expected in mid August.

“Ironically, the day after, we could have comfortably started the game at 5.30pm and played the game with an 8.15pm finish time and beyond.”