Cricket: Where it all went wrong last night; Confusion and anger at the Riverside as Twenty20 match called off.

THE ECB sensationally pulled the plug on Durham's big Twenty20 Cup quarter-final clash against Yorkshire last night as mayhem descended on the Riverside.

The announcement that the game was called off came eight minutes after the scheduled starting time and left the crowd, expected to top 6,000, angry and bemused.

Durham and Yorkshire supporters, many of whom had taken time off work or left early, believed the delay had been due to light rain.

It had come to light, however, that Yorkshire had fielded an ineligible player, 17-year-old Pakistant-born off spinner Azeem Rafiq, in their group decider at Nottinghamshire 11 days ago.

Notts subsequently filed a complaint questioning the eligibility of the youngster, who had captained England at under-15 and 16 level.

The ECB are believed to have fined Yorkshire pounds 500 for a registration offence involving Rafiq's appearance at Trent Bridge, while allowing the Tykes to remain in the competition.

However, when it was established Rafiq did not have a British passport, the ECB acted to prevent the game from going ahead at the 11th hour.

An official statement said: "The ECB are convening a panel of the Cricket Disciplinary Commission as a matter of urgency so that any relevant matches will be played before the Twenty20 finals day at Southampton on July 26.

"The ECB shares the disappointment of all the spectators who travelled to the Riverside that the Twenty20 Cup quarter-final was unable to be played."

A statement on behalf of Yorkshire CCC said: "The club has spent the last 24 hours trying to piece together the facts and supply the ECB with details about the player.

"Raffiq came to England from Pakistan in 2001 and had represented England at under-15 and 16 level, so it was assumed he could play cricket in this country.

"We deeply regret the inconvenience this matter has caused fans of Durham and Yorkshire as well as sponsors, broadcasters and playing staff."

Yorkshire coach Martyn Moxon, who spent six years at Durham, admitted events overtook what should have been the main feature - a Twenty20 derby with a finals-day place at stake and the possibility of a lucrative pay day in the newly formed Champions League.

He said: "It was earlier yesterday when the gravity of the situation hit home.

"It was mayhem with lots of phone calls being made and you have to feel sorry for everyone involved.

"It was a big game with a lot at stake. The players of both sides are gutted and we can only apologise for what as happened.

"There will be a hearing to see what happens next.

"We will put our case forward and see if the ECB treat us kindly - but we are hanging on by our fingernails."