For a brief moment during the Punjab Kings vs. Delhi Capitals clash in Dharamshala, it seemed like Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya were set to steer Punjab Kings to a commanding total. By the end of the sixth over, PBKS had raced to 69 runs, and by the 10th over, they were sitting comfortably at 122 for the loss of just one wicket. However, the skies over northern India had other plans. At 9:29 PM, the match was abruptly called off due to a power outage, a precautionary measure in light of escalating tensions along the India-Pakistan border.
This unexpected turn of events left many wondering if competitive cricket had ever been played during wartime. A glance back in history reveals a few such instances. On July 29, 1944, amidst the chaos of World War II, Lord’s Cricket Ground hosted a match between the Army and the Royal Air Force. This was a time when parts of England were under threat from V-1 flying bombs, and even Lord’s had been struck by an oil bomb in 1940.
Despite the dire circumstances, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), with the help of Sir Pelham Warner, managed to organize a competitive game. Among the participants was the legendary cricketer Wally Wallace, who had recently returned from Egypt after serving as a Squadron Leader in the RAF. Though not directly involved in combat, Wallace’s presence added a touch of gravitas to the match. Other notable players included Charlie Palmer, Bob Wyatt, Les Ames, Gubby Allen, Godfrey Evans, Maurice Leyland, Jack Robertson, and Bill Edrich.
The match began at 2 PM, following a brief rain delay. Jack Robertson, who would later amass over 30,000 runs in first-class cricket, gave the Army a solid start. However, the game took a dramatic turn when a German aircraft breached British airspace, heading straight for Lord’s. The V-1 bomb, known as the “doodlebug,” was about to be dropped near the stadium.
As the bomb approached, players and spectators alike hit the ground, creating a scene of utter chaos. The image of Robertson clinging to his bat, with Edrich, Andy Wilson, Wyatt, and Austin Mathews lying flat on the ground, became an indelible memory for those present. “The players and umpires lay on the ground, and spectators were to be seen in curious postures in the pavilion and around the ground,” Warner later recounted in his book, *Lord’s, 1787-1945*.
Miraculously, the bomb landed 200 yards away from the ground on Albert Road, sparing the stadium. The players, undeterred, resumed the match. Robertson lifted the spirits of the crowd with a stunning hook shot off Wyatt, sending the ball soaring towards the grandstand.
In the end, the Army declared their innings at 211 for 8, with David Townsend top-scoring with 52. The RAF managed to hold on for a draw, finishing at 129 for 9. While the match itself became a footnote in cricket history, the near-death experience of those present left a lasting impact.
It’s hard to imagine a modern-day cricket match being played under the shadow of war, especially one that resumes after a bomb lands nearby. It’s a stark reminder of how different times were back then.
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