YORKSHIRE have launched a staunch defence of their new £600,000 drainage system after the opening match of the NatWest one-day international series ended in farcical scenes at Headingley.

The match was officially called off at 3pm – three hours after the rain stopped – leaving England, West Indies and 11,000 spectators frustrated at the failure of the new drainage system to cope with the demands of the heavy showers.

The news that the match had been abandoned was greeted by boos from the Western Terrace with the sun shining brightly and prompted England to send their players out to sign autographs to try to placate their mood.

It is another embarrassing situation for the England and Wales Cricket Board, who have been forced to endure consistent criticism at the low crowds during last week’s second Test at Chester-le-Street, after they signed off the Headingley drainage system as being fit for international cricket just three weeks ago.

But Stewart Regan, Yorkshire’s chief executive, insisted no ground in the country could have coped with yesterday morning’s showers with the exception of Lord’s, who spent over £1million on their highly-polished drainage system.

‘‘We all recognise a new drainage system doesn’t happen overnight, but two torrential downpours have ensured there was no chance the water could drain away quickly enough,’’ stressed Regan.

‘‘The only ground that has got a Rolls Royce drainage system is Lord’s. They have put a layer of rocks immediately below the turf which does allow a much faster drainage system, but you can’t play every cricket match at Lord’s.’’ Yorkshire and every other first class ground were given £600,000 last year by the ECB to fund such improvements.

They believe the drainage system will work given time to bed in but have defended their decision not to find extra funds to buy the same system used by Lord’s, with Regan insisting: ‘‘We have put in a system that the ECB and our consultants said was capable of managing international cricket and still is.

‘‘The issue is we’ve had torrential rain twice in the space of 12 hours – the only ground that could have dealt with a downpour like that would have been Lord’s.’’ Yorkshire made the decision to go ahead with the drainage work – ironically to help maximise playing time for the fourth Ashes Test later this summer – mid-way through last summer and had to move their final match of last season to Scarborough to give them time to finish.

But after only two days of first class cricket this summer, it was signed off as fit for international cricket by Chris Wood, the ECB’s pitch inspector, despite experts stressing the need for a bedding in period.