IN TROUBLED WATERS

Investigation launched after rain-marred Port of Spain Test

by Cricbuzz Staff • Published on

Only 22 overs were bowled in the fourth Test between India and West Indies © Cricbuzz

After the rain-marred fourth and final Test between West Indies and India in Port of Spain ended in a drab draw due to water-logging and inadequate drying facilities at the ground, the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) has decided to launch an investigation into the matter.

Despite only two days of rain and long periods of sunshine, no play was possible on the last four days of the match because of waterlogged areas in the field at the Queen's Park Oval. Attempts were made by the ground staff to make conditions favourable for play to resume but to no avail.

"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," Azim Bassarath, the TTCB president, said in an official statement on Monday (August 22).

The fear that the venue's future as a Test venue might be jeopardised has forced the officials of QPCC, who celebrated the 125th anniversary of the club's founding over the Test match weekend, to take quick action.

"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." Even as no time frame was given for the investigation, he added, "Once this has been done it will be presented to the WICB (West Indies Cricket Board)."

The fourth Test ended with only 22 overs of play possible on the opening day of the match. As it turned out, it was the fifth shortest non-abandoned Test match. Having won the first and third Test, India bagged the series 2-0. However, the draw meant India had to conceded the top spot in the International Cricket Council's Test Rankings to arch-rivals Pakistan, who recently drew a four-match series against England 2-2.

The series had great importance in terms of diplomatic relationship between the cricket boards of India and West Indies, after a player-strike in 2014 had led West Indies to withdraw from a five-match One-Day International series mid-way.

Nonetheless, the two sides will now play in a two-match Twenty20 International series in Florida, starting on August 27.

© Cricbuzz

TAGS

RELATED STORIES