BBC Sportcricket

Sir Vivian Richards said he was "ashamed" of the stadium that bears his name

The International Cricket Council will hold talks next week to ensure the fiasco of the unfit ground in Antigua is never repeated.

The second Test between England and the West Indies was abandoned after 10 balls because of a dangerous outfield at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat described the situation as a "disastrous abandonment".

Lorgat added: "We never want a repeat of that situation."

The second Test was abandoned as a draw after the bowlers were unable to find their footing on the sand-covered turf.

The hastily arranged third Test ended in a dramatic draw on Thursday at the nearby Antigua Recreation Ground, the old Test venue.

The last-wicket pair of Daren Powell and Fidel Edwards hung on for 10 tense overs to help the West Indies maintain a 1-0 lead in the series.

Lorgat praised the organisers for staging the third Test at less than two days' notice.

"After such a thrilling match I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made it possible," he said.

606: DEBATE Spectators have been shamefully treated as they paid and arrived to watch a Test match, not a complete circus in the middle of the field lankyspokenere

"All these people typified the great spirit of cricket and made Thursday's exciting conclusion possible. Every cricket fan that enjoyed the match and the finish will be grateful for their efforts."

Lorgat also hailed the England supporters for their patience.

"I am especially pleased for all the England fans who travelled from far and wide only to experience great inconvenience and anxiety," he added.

"Cricket owes them an apology and I'm delighted they finally got to see a great Test match.

"A week ago we were all downcast after that disastrous abandonment which brought a great deal of unwanted negative publicity to the game."

The England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) managing director, Hugh Morris, said they had worked with their West Indies counterparts to ensure that travelling supporters who were affected by the abandonment will be able to get money back.

I hope we can go to Barbados now and do something special there Windies hero Daren Powell

Fans who had to leave before the replacement Test finished because of prior travel plans "will be eligible to claim a refund for the value of the ticket".

"No one wants to see a Test match abandoned after just 10 balls. The ECB felt particularly upset for the supporters who had spent a large amount of money to see this match," said Morris.

England had looked poised for victory in the third Test with the West Indians reeling at 322-8 but the hosts held out for a draw to maintain their 1-0 series lead going into the fourth Test in Barbados next Thursday.

Tail-ender Powell contributed to match-saving stands with Sulieman Benn and Edwards.

"I was the master of the situation. It's nothing new to me," he said.

"I was in my zone and was seeing the ball well. The light was not that good. But the umpires were in control, and we had to bat until they said otherwise.

"I said we would beat England 3-0, and this shows what we can do. I hope we can go to Barbados now and do something special there."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version