KINGSTON (JAMAICA), JAN 29: In an unprecedented fiasco, the first Test match between England and West Indies was abandoned here today with the umpires deciding that the pitch was unfit and dangerous for play after only 10.1 overs had been bowled.This is the first time that a Test match has been abandoned anywhere because of an unfit wicket and today's episode comes only weeks after first such abandonment in a One-day-international between India and Sri Lanka at Indore.
Match referee Barry Jarman of Australia, together with the umpires and captains, agreed to halt the match after several English batsmen were struck on the hands and body by balls that flew unpredictably off the beige-colored pitch.
The officials then held discussions for about 80 minutes before the match, first of a series of five Tests, was abandoned.
Announcing the abandonment, president of the West Indies board Pat Rousseau said the umpires had taken the decision in consultation with the two captains, Brian Lara of the West Indiesand Mike Atherton of England.
He expressed regrets for the abandonment and announced that the public would be refunded their money.
England, batting after winning the toss, were 17 for three off 10 overs when the players left the ground.
West Indies fast bowlers Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose repeatedly struck batsmen with devilish deliveries. Walsh dismissed Atherton for two and left-hander Mark Butcher with successive balls in his second over. Butcher, who came into the match at the last minute as replacement for ailing wicket-keeper Jack Russell, was caught off the glove as he fended a lifting ball off his throat.
Ambrose dismissed Nasser Hussain for one to a low catch at second slip. Alec Stewart, with nine, and left-hander Graham Thorpe, yet to score, were the batsmen in the crease when play was halted.
Stewart was struck on his shoulder and twice on his hands, and, writhing in pain, required on-field attention from team physiotherapist Wayne Morton each time. Hussain and Thorpe also tookpainful blows on the hands.
After Thorpe was hit by a ball from Walsh, Stewart summoned Atherton from the players' area. They spoke to the umpires and to Lara before Jarman also came onto the field to join discussions.
The Sabina Park was dug up last October and replaced by clay soil from a sugar estate in the middle of the island, but there were predictions that the pitch would be unsatisfactory even before the match started.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
