A CRICKETER was hit round the head with a bat after a fight broke out at a game.

Two players from opposing teams came to blows during the Basildon and Pitsea versus Stanford-le-Hope match on Saturday afternoon.

The game, between the clubs’ fourth teams, was abandoned after police and ambulance crews were called to Langdon Hills Recreation Ground.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Ambulance crews contacted police with reports of an assault at Langdon Hills Recreation Ground at about 1.50pm on Saturday.

“There had been an altercation involving two men.”

A man in his sixties, from Grays, was taken to hospital with cuts to his head, but was not seriously injured.

A man in his forties, from Tilbury, was arrested on suspicion of assault and questioned, but was released without charge.

In a statement, Shepherd Neame Essex League chairman Andrew Kennedy said: “The league committee have been made aware of a serious incident which resulted in the abandonment of this fixture.

“A player from each side was involved in an altercation which resulted in one of the players being hospitalised.

“Essex Police and the individual clubs will be conducting their own investigations as soon as is practicable.”

Mr Kennedy confirmed the league would take action after the conclusion of these investigations.

A joint statement issued by the two clubs said: "This episode is totally uncharacteristic for either club; however it is something that we cannot tolerate happening on the field of play.

"It will leave an indelible imprint on the players that were playing for our sides on that day."