ICC suspends cricket at Sir Vivian Stadium
Published:Tuesday | March 17, 2009 | 1:42 PM
The International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended international cricket at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua and lashed the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) following the second Test debacle last month.
The world’s governing body for the sport announced earlier today that no cricket could be played there for the next 12 months.
The decision followed the abandoned second Test between the West Indies and England on February 13, when the match lasted just 10 balls because of an unfit outfield.
ICC’s general manager for Cricket, David Richardson said the abandoned Test match was an embarrassment to the local authorities in Antigua, to West Indies cricket in general and to the international game.
The ICC informed the WICB that no more international cricket can take place at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua until extensive remedial work is carried out and it passes an inspection by the ICC.
The Test was aborted because of an excessively sandy outfield, which made it difficult for the bowlers to negotiate.
The ICC gave the WICB an official warning for not preparing the ground effectively for the match.