By Marlon Munroe
Umpire Randolph Rose called off the East Bank and Georgetown clash of the Demerara Cricket Board NALICO/NAFICO Under-15 50-over tournament yesterday owing to the deplorable condition of the sanitary block and the several holes in and around the 15-yard circle at the Providence ground.
Rose felt that it was in the best interest of the players and spectators who may have wanted to visit the lavatory facilities to call the match off.
It was also pointed out to Stabroek Sport that the pitch was extremely soft at the popping crease at both ends since the playing surface was prepared prior to the match; the bowler’s run up was also laced with holes which did not sit too well with Rose.
The umpire indicated that it was not a safe environment for the players to operate, especially with the size of some of the holes around the 15 and 30-yards area around the pitch.
He observed that if one of the fielders should attempt a catch or effect a run out and landed in a hole, it would have presented a hazardous condition so he opted for the more cautious approach.
Further, coach of the city team Garvin Nedd said that he also refused to allow his players on the ‘pasture-like’ field, especially since the selectors were looking to have a strong and fit team with the best combination for the final against East Coast Demerara on February 26. Nedd said that he was also concerned about the health of the youngsters and it was unacceptable for them to be playing in such conditions.
Nedd also questioned whether there should be an unfortunate incident on the field what would have been the explanations forthcoming.
He also stated that the nursery of players should not be exposed to such conditions on a field especially when one takes into consideration that they are being blooded for the future.
However, the President of the East Bank Cricket Association (EBCA) Rohan Sarjoo, Chairman of the Competitions Committee of the DCB Krishchand Mangal and Chairman of Selectors for the junior panel on the DCB, Nazimul Drepaul, all stated that cricket could have been played at the ground.
Sarjoo pointed out that he had played in “similar conditions and sometimes even worse” and therefore the umpires should not have called off the game. He noted that since the pitch was in good condition the match should have gone on as scheduled.
He also opined that the bathroom facilities should have been the reason for calling off the game and not the ground since cricket has always been played there and his Board had no control over the cracks because they were caused by the current El Nino weather.
Further, Sarjoo, a former national under-19 opening batsman, said that first and second division and the Hand-in-Hand EBD Zone final were played at the ground and there was no talk about the facility being unsuitable for play.
When Stabroek Sport enquired whether the argument was justifiable for the current batch of players, Drepaul said no but Sarjoo gave a indifferent response stating that “if this ground is not suitable then the Lusignan ground is not suitable for play also.”
The Hand-in-Hand final was played at Lusignan last year under lights and the current GCB three-day first division tournament.
Drepaul further indicated that while the ground could have been better he did not believe the situation should have derailed the match since there has been play in similar conditions.
He noted, however, that he will be making recommendations to the Board to ensure that the persons responsible come to a decision on what criteria will determine when a ground is suitable for play.
Drepaul also indicated that if the pitch was fit for play then the game should not have been called off.
When Stabroek Sport contacted the Chairman of Competitions Committee, Mangal declared that the President of the DCB Bissoondial Singh did not advise him but rather “directed him” to change the venue.
Mangal is claiming that Singh cannot instruct him since he was not employed by Singh and therefore the onus is on him (Mangal) to decide which grounds are suitable for play.
Singh said, when contacted, that he felt that the ground was unfit for play and he had instructed Mangal to choose an alternative venue for the game. He said that he visited the facility last week and was not satisfied with what he saw and therefore issued the directive which was subsequently disregarded by Mangal.
The match has been rescheduled to be played today at the Maltenoes Sports Club (MSC).