A TEAM of cricketers have had to abandon their match, after four of their line-up were kidnapped from their home ground.

The players, who are about a foot-and-a-half tall and made of stone, were enjoying a leisurely game in a garden in Garrowby Way, Stamford Bridge, when someone snatched them.

Cricket-mad owners Steve and Sue Hancock are mystified as to who could have taken the figurines. They have not even received a ransom note.

Sue, a member of Yorkshire Cricket Club, said: "This is a quiet cul-de-sac and everyone loves them. The only traffic that goes past is people walking their dogs. I can't understand it."

The Hancocks bought the seven-strong team about five years ago after spotting one at a garden centre. They loved the unusual figure so much that they contacted the producers, Amplestone of Ampleforth, and bought a set.

Steve, a Lancastrian who is a qualified cricket umpire, said: "What attracted us is that they are middle-aged men. I remember not too many years ago when I was playing and they looked like a self-portrait."

The couple said the cricketers were still outside when they went to bed at 10.30pm on Wednesday, but had vanished, along with their ball, by the time they woke up the following morning. The missing cricketers are a batsman who has had his cap painted red, a bowler and fielder with blue caps, and an umpire.

The figures have all been hand-painted by Steve and carry an Amplestone marking.

"Each year we have them out in front of the house and it is a conversation piece. It is a bit of fun more than anything," said Steve.

The remaining players are in hiding inside the Hancocks' house, and Steve has put up a sign to say that the match has been abandoned until the rest of the team are returned. He has already tried to track down replacements, but the figures are no longer being produced.

Anyone with information about the cricketers should phone Humberside Police on 0845 6060 222.

Updated: 10:18 Monday, April 04, 2005