In Pictures: Cricketers all at sea as they battle against sands of time

Bad light and a decidedly wet wicket did not deter cricket lovers from staging the annual Brambles match on the Solent at low tide.

The fixture between the Royal Southern Yacht Club and the Island Sailing Club on the shipping lane sees batters and bowlers duel not only with each other but with the forces of nature as they take advantage of the low tide.

Among those taking part was Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in a fixture that is entering its fifth decade of existence.

The sun begins to rise as members of the Royal Southern Yacht Club and the Island Sailing Club take part in the annual Brambles cricket match (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Andrew Matthews

Bad light did not stop play (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Andrew Matthews

A view of the Bramble Challenge Trophy (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Andrew Matthews

The pitch is blessed ahead of the match (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Andrew Matthews

It was the ideal conditions for paddle sweep shots for the batters while spin bowlers might have been tempted to try a flipper.

Umpires, scorers and spectators, some from a nearby container ship, got a chance to watch the action as the light improved but a waterlogged pitch was a certainty later in the day in conditions very suitable for ducks.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (left) bats during the annual Brambles cricket match (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Andrew Matthews

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the first game being played (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Andrew Matthews

Batters were all at sea (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Andrew Matthews

Bowlers had to work with a soggy pitch (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Andrew Matthews

Fielders in position (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Andrew Matthews

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston also had a bowl (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Andrew Matthews

Celebrations on the sand (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Andrew Matthews

The teams face the cameras (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Andrew Matthews

The scoreboard tells the story (Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Andrew Matthews