The Athene T20 Premier Division match between Somerset and Western Stars at North Field, National Sports Centre was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

With only six Somerset players in attendance at the time of the rescheduled toss at 2.45pm, umpires Oscar Andrade and John Pitcher, in consultation with third umpire Wendy Woodley, subsequently ordered the toss forfeited, with Stars captain Tre Manders opting to bat.

The match start time had been originally pushed back to 3pm from its scheduled 2.30pm because of the late conclusion of the First Division match between Somerset Bridge and Flatts.

Faced with being forced to field, Somerset captain Jordan DeSilva packed up his belongings in protest, with the rest of his team following suit.

It is not known if Somerset ever had the minimum complement of nine players for the match to have started. Because of the rescheduled start, they would have until 3.15pm for at least the remaining three players to appear.

“I don’t like to comment on controversial issues,” Manders said. “The umpires must decide how this matter gets resolved.

“This was one of the most anticipated games of the weekend.”

It was the second top-flight fixture of the day to end in forfeit after the match between Willow Cuts and St David’s at Southampton Oval, where Cuts were declared the winners because St David’s had only eight players at the ground by 2.45pm instead of the mandated nine.