A runaway bull forced a cricket game in England to be abandoned on Saturday.The North East Premier League fixture hosted by Burnopfield Cricket Club — situated in County Durham, near Newcastle — against Hetton Lyons was initially suspended after the bull ran onto the pitch.The bull was described as “very frightened” and “dangerous” by club director Martin Oswell. Social media footage captured by both clubs shows players jogging off the pitch as the bull charged towards the crease.Despite the police being called to beef up efforts to shift the animal, the match was ultimately called off.
Cow stops play as @HettonLyonsCC attempt chase down 227 against Burnopfield CC.🐄🏏❌😜😜@SkyCricket @SkySportsNews @neplcricket @burnopfieldcri1 just wanted to remind everyone that it still has the best moo-vement on the pitch. 😂#PitchInvader #CowCorner #OnlyInCricket pic.twitter.com/J92UBXBL1X
— Hetton Lyons CC (@HettonLyonsCC) July 4, 2026Oswell told the Press Association that the bull had escaped from a farm and travelled around a mile before arriving at the cricket club at 3pm. He said the “beast probably weighed about 800kg”, and that safety concerns arose when it charged towards the players, and hit a farmer who attempted to usher it away from the playing field.
