Blood on the pitch: invasion stops play

A steward was taken to Leeds General Infirmary last night suffering from broken ribs and damage to his spleen after a pitch invasion curtailed England's one-day cricket international against Pakistan at Headingley.

Pakistan were poised to complete a six-wicket victory when Azhar Mahmood pulled Dominic Cork towards the midwicket boundary, prompting a pitch invasion.

Pakistan supporters swarmed towards the main square to claim wickets and bails as souvenirs and amid the mêlée, the steward ­ Stephen Speight, one of those designated to get players safely off the pitch ­ was knocked to the ground. Reports suggested that he had received blows to the head and stomach.