Play suspended at The Oval as 'arrow' fired onto pitch

Play has been suspended in the County Championship clash between Surrey and Middlesex after a “projectile was fired into the ground from outside”, the competition’s official Twitter account has said.

Middlesex added on their Twitter account that play had been suspended after a “crossbow bolt” landed on the square.

With Middlesex pair John Simpson and Nick Compton batting midway through the final session of the Division One encounter, the players were ushered inside after a projectile was fired into the ground from outside.

Bowler Stuart Meaker was the first to raise the alarm, writing on Twitter: “Well…we have just officially gone off the field because a metal tipped arrow just landed on the pitch!!”

The County Championship then wrote: “Play suspended at Kia Oval after a “projectile” was fired into the ground from outside. Fans urged to move indoors. We’ll keep you posted”

Middlesex said: “Play suspended at the Oval on advice of security. Players have left the field after a crossbow bolt landed on the square…..”

A Surrey spokesman told the Press Association: “We were about to bowl the next ball and the arrow appeared two pitches to the side of the pitch we’re playing on at the moment.

“The umpires took it out of the ground and got the players off as quickly as possible.

“Everybody in the ground has now been asked to take cover, there is nobody out in the stands or out in the open in any form.

“All the seating hangs over the concourse, so they’re all under the seating at the moment in the concourse area, which is fully covered.

“The police are on their way.

“We don’t know much more at the moment. We’re not sure if it’s deliberate or accidental or whether it’s come from inside or outside the ground.”