PORT OF SPAIN: The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board have launched an investigation after the fourth and final Test between the West Indies and India lasted just 22 overs due to a waterlogged outfield.

No play was possible at the Queen’s Park Oval on Monday’s scheduled last day of the match, the fourth consecutive day on which there was no play because of saturated areas around the playing square.

The farcical abandonment came despite long periods of sunshine and desperate efforts of groundstaff to make the surface playable with shovels, pitchforks and leaf blowers.

With the match abandoned as a draw, India won the series 2-0, the first time they have won more than one Test in a series in the Caribbean.

However the Indians surrendered the position of number one Test team in the ICC rankings to Pakistan as they had needed to complete a 3-0 series triumph to stay top.

India had been number one for less than a week after displacing Australia at the top on August 17.

“As hosts, the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board and QPCC (Queen’s Park Cricket Club) regret that limited play was possible in the 4th Test Match between WI and India at the Queen’s Park Oval,” Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board president Azim Bassarath said.

“We have jointly launched an investigation to determine what occurred with a view to remedying the situation so that this does not occur in the future,” the statement continued.

“Once this has been done it will be presented to the WICB (West Indies Cricket Board).” Bassarath gave no indication of a time-frame for the conclusion of the investigation.

It is understood that prominent officials of QPCC, who celebrated the 125th anniversary of the club’s founding over the Test match weekend, are concerned that the farcical abandonment could jeopardise the venue hosting major international matches in the future Pakistan are scheduled to tour the Caribbean in 2017.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...