West Indies' captain, Chris Gayle (second left), looks on as match referee Allan Hurst (centre) and umpires Daryl Harper (right) and Tony Hill inspect the field at the bowlers' run-up, during the first day of the second Test match of the Digicel Home Series against England, at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in St John's, Antigua, yesterday. Play was abandoned after only 1.4 overs because umpires decided the sandy outfield was unplayable. England batsman Alastair Cook is at left. - AP
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):Antigua's Prime Minister, Baldwin Spencer, said yesterday, a probe would be launched into the debacle that caused the abandonment of the second Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.
"It is my intention to commission an investigation into the unacceptable condition of the outfield at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground," Spencer said.
"There can be lessons in today's aborted Test match that may preempt any such occurrence in cricket in the future," he added.
unplayable outfield
An unplayable outfield forced the match to be abandoned after just 10 balls, with England seven without loss after being sent in by the West Indies.
After several meetings, match officials decided late in the day that the match would be switched to the Antigua Recreation Ground, which last hosted an international game in 2006.
Spencer said no effort would be spared in getting the venue ready for the rescheduled match, which is now set to bowl off tomorrow.
"The Government will mobilise all resources necessary to ensure that the Antigua Recreation Ground is prepared to the standards required to guarantee the safety of players and the convenience of spectators for the start of the rescheduled second Test on Sunday," he stressed.
With the fiasco having made headlines internationally, Spencer was quick to apologise.
"I apologise to the players and spectators for today's unfortunate development. I extend particular apologies to the thousands of cricketing fans from the United Kingdom whose presence richly enhances the contest between the home team and England," Spencer said.
"Antigua and Barbuda owes them a stay with us that will be memorable not for today's debacle, but for the warmth of our hospitality and for the excitement of the Test match that will commence on Sunday."
West Indies lead the four-Test series 1-0 after winning the opener in Jamaica by an innings and 23 runs.