ST.JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC– Leeward Islands Hurricanes head coach Reginald Benjamin wants their third round match against Windward Islands Volcanoes in the WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL) to be replayed.
Benjamin is asking the WICB to rule the match null and void after his team crashed to an eight wicket loss inside two days at Windsor Park in Dominica on Saturday.
In a low-scoring contest on what appears to have been a deteriorating wicket, Leeward Islands Hurricanes stumbled to 24 for seven before declaring their first innings before lunch on the first morning.
“I would prefer if we play over the game and we go from there,” Benjamin was quoted by the Antigua Observer as saying.
“And as one of the former players, who played at the highest level asked, ‘if that was the kind of wicket they want you to play on and perform and then select you to the West Indies, then you will never be selected’; and I can agree with that comment”.
The West Indies Cricket Board said Monday it would launch an investigation into the preparation of the pitch at Windsor Park.
WICB’s Director of Cricket, Richard Pybus, said he would mull over match referee and umpire reports as well as those from the captain and coaches, in an attempt to ascertain what transpired with the pitch.
The Leewards coach has confirmed that he has officially protested the match in which only 386 runs were scored in four innings.
“Cornwall (Rahkeem Cornwall) went in to bat and there was a ball that dropped just a normal length and hit his elbow,” said Benjamin.
“Cornwall is my best off-spinner and the next ball after he said, ‘Coach all I could have done was swing’ and he just swing and they said he was out. When he came out he said, ‘Coach, which wicket is dangerous and nobody can play on a wicket like that’; and that is the one that ticked the bell”.
Volcanoes were awarded 14 points from the contest while Hurricanes received three points.
