West Indies v England, 2nd Test, North Sound, Feb 13-17

OP Tipping wrote:I don't really understand how this can have happened.

The groundstaff only looked after the square. Maintenance of the outfield was contracted out.

More than that it was the redressing of the outfield after installation of drainage that caused the main prob, wasn't it? Took the cheap easy route and just covered it in sand . . .

Basil wrote:

Rob I wrote:Remember the WI-Eng test that was called off after ten overs, in case someone got killed?

It was on Athers' tour I think. Bit of an over-reaction by England then. No-one was going to be killed - not with all the protection batsmen wear.

There would still have been a lot of injuries, perhaps half the side ruled out for the next couple of matches with broken fingers, ribs etc. That was a fair enough reason to call it off I think! Anyway it would have been over in a day and a half on that pitch had they continued.

Anyway, it's clear WI cricket still has the same problems all these years later. Perhaps the ICC needs to take direct control of the maintenance of grounds to be used for Test cricket.

Whatever it was, it was a complete and utter shambles. Don't their test match grounds get inspected? Oh wait a minute, this is the WIBC we're talking about.

When was the last time an international sporting event was abandoned due to incompetence?

My guess would be a cricket match. You can't half tell that cricket really is a 'developing world' sport.

Hard to know what the solution is - a fine and suspension for the West Indies would surely be counterproductive as it would just worsen their financial situation.

Banwestindia?

"The groundstaff only looked after the square. Maintenance of the outfield was contracted out."

But surely the ground was thoroughly inspected _before_ the match.

beamer wrote:Anyway, it's clear WI cricket still has the same problems all these years later. Perhaps the ICC needs to take direct control of the maintenance of grounds to be used for Test cricket.

You make joke?

Besides, for the most part, ICC is simply a confederation of the Test-playing Boards, so you haven't actually moved the problem at all.

Rachel wrote:

beamer wrote:Anyway, it's clear WI cricket still has the same problems all these years later. Perhaps the ICC needs to take direct control of the maintenance of grounds to be used for Test cricket.

You make joke?

Besides, for the most part, ICC is simply a confederation of the Test-playing Boards, so you haven't actually moved the problem at all.

They could set up an independent unit for looking after Test grounds in all countries. Leaving anything to the individual boards themselves seems to be a complete disaster whichever country it happens to be, so anything would be an improvement on the current situation.

So have they relaid the run-ups or moved to ARG? Or are they still....

skully wrote:So have they relaid the run-ups or moved to ARG? Or are they still....

Starting from scratch at the ARG on Sunday.

Dodgy outfield still and we'll be playing a test match on the practice strips

MidnightCowboy wrote:

Gary 111 wrote:Well Owais Shah has had his chance and failed to score any runs.

I can see no option for the selectors but to recall Ian Bell in time for the 3rd Test Match.

and no wickets for Anderson, so Harmison back as well.

As the ARG has a reputation for being fast and bouncy I'd say that a Harmi recall was likely.

I must stress that even within the confines of the WICB, which is awfully run as you all know, the Leeward Islands Cricket Association are the pits. They have been unable to fulfill their First Class fixtures because they are so incompetent, so you would have thought that the WICB would have been suspicious at a far earlier stage.

The WICB's chief cricket operations officer is a guy named Tony Howard, who has botched up nearly every job he has been given, including team manager on the infamous tour of Sri Lanka where the players repeatedly complained about his incompetence. But guess what? He got promoted instead of sacked. Maybe he will run for President if Hunte resigns?

WIFAN wrote:I must stress that even within the confines of the WICB, which is awfully run as you all know, the Leeward Islands Cricket Association are the pits. They have been unable to fulfill their First Class fixtures because they are so incompetent, so you would have thought that the WICB would have been suspicious at a far earlier stage.

The WICB's chief cricket operations officer is a guy named Tony Howard, who has botched up nearly every job he has been given, including team manager on the infamous tour of Sri Lanka where the players repeatedly complained about his incompetence. But guess what? He got promoted instead of sacked. Maybe he will run for President if Hunte resigns?

Sympathies WIFAN, you guys deserve far better than this.

Thanks, but so do all cricket fans who have been denied the spectacle of test cricket by a bunch of buffoons.

It is quite amazing that we are experiencing a mini cricketing renaissance considering the astounding levels of incompetence that exist at management level in the Caribbean.

I am really worried about the ARG. I really want a match to happen, but the thought of a cobbled together wicket in the Caribbean makes me cringe.

I wonder if they would have been better off trying to use the Stanford ground - ok, it might have been a bit slow and spinner friendly, but probably a fairer contest than what could occur on a pitch which might turn out to be a rubbish tip.

51 might be a good score next "test" . . .

It would be better at Stanford's ground for sure as the facilities are great for both the spectators and the media, but he loathes the WICB and is in no mood to step in and help them out at the moment unfortunately.

Let's just cross our fingers that they come up with something half decent at the ARG. It's going to be strange, because I find myself caring less and less about the result. I just want to see some test cricket.

WIFAN wrote:It would be better at Stanford's ground for sure as the facilities are great for both the spectators and the media, but he loathes the WICB and is in no mood to step in and help them out at the moment unfortunately.

Let's just cross our fingers that they come up with something half decent at the ARG. It's going to be strange, because I find myself caring less and less about the result. I just want to see some test cricket.

There's probably a reluctance to give Stanford any more free publicity anyway.

Lol spot on. There is no love lost between the two organisations.

What I find amusing is that the replacement test at the ARG would not be happening if it wasn't for the proactive approach taken by the ECB. So a foreign cricket board had to take charge of organising a test in the Caribbean.

I cannot think of anything more shameful tbh, especially after hearing what many of you think of the ECB themselves.

so can some one please tell me whats going on?

quick summary...3 or 4 sentences.

- The 2nd test at SVR stadium has been abandoned

- They have arranged another test starting tomorrow at the old ARG stadium in town.

- Therefore it is now a 5 test series, currently standing at 1-0 to the West Indies after 2.

Holding is saying that the problem is the West Indies board being unwilling to check up on the national boards' work.

And "crucial inspections" were never carried out.
http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wiveng2009/content/current/story/390780.html

This whole thing boggles the mind. So many people must have dropped so many balls.



It's also tragic that someone spent tens of millions building a decent modern stadium (which, despite all these fiascos, North Sound is) and pay scant attention to the field.

It's not that decent a stadium, given that the stands have been built too high and block out the sunlight on huge parts of the outfield, making it incredibly difficult to grow grass there.

Badly designed, poorly planned, ineptly maintained. It's like the England team in concrete form.