Play Abandoned In Antigua

England

Cricket365
February 18, 2009

The first day's play of the second Test between West Indies and England was abandoned after only 10 deliveries because of the poor state of the playing surface.

The first day's play of the second Test between West Indies and England was abandoned after only 10 deliveries because of the poor state of the playing surface.
Match referee Alan Hurst was called into the middle at 10.40am by umpires Rudi Koertzen and Tony Hill after the West Indies bowlers Jerome Taylor and Fidel Edwards struggled to run to the crease.
The heavily-sanded outfield at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium caused plenty of controversy in the build-up to the match but captains Andrew Strauss and Chris Gayle both agreed to play yesterday.
Only 10 deliveries were possible in 14 minutes on the field either side of an early-morning shower.
Hurst told Sky Sports: "The bowlers are having problems with their footings. They were having trouble getting any traction at all.
"The umpires have agreed with that. It is a health hazard for the players. Play has been abandoned for the day as the ground is unfit."
Hurst dismissed suggestions the ICC should have done more to address the issue before the match got under way.
"I don't think there was any doubt there was a problem before we came here with the sand on the ground but everyone thought it was okay.
"No-one had bowled on the wicket to test it out.
"It would have been jumping the gun to say it was unfit before the start of play. In the long run we have to look at the health and safety of the players."