Groundsman takes blame for abandoned match at Sir Viv stadium

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – A dark cloud hung over the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Tuesday, not from the Caribbean sun, but from a pitch that proved too dangerous for first-class cricket.

Following the abandonment of the West Indies Championship fixture between Trinidad & Tobago Red Force and the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, chief groundsman Norville Simon has stepped forward to accept full responsibility.

In a candid and emotional admission, Simon described the abandonment as one of the most heartbreaking moments of his career.

“To be honest, that was one of the most heartbreaking feelings that I’ve had in years,” Simon said. “I’ve never felt like this, but again, these things happen, and I’m making no excuses.”

The match was called off on the third day after a terrifying delivery from Test fast bowler Jayden Seales. Leeward Islands seamer Jeremiah Louis was struck on the helmet by a ball that reared sharply from a good length.

Louis was promptly taken to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre but was later cleared and discharged. The incident came after a chaotic 147 overs that saw more than 25 wickets tumble, with the Leewards holding a 96-run lead when play was halted.

Simon admitted to pre-match concerns but insisted he did not foresee the level of danger. He pointed to a specific crack as the root cause of the chaos.

“There was a part on the Sir Andy Roberts end, on the left-hand side of the pitch, there was a crack on the offside of it that I did not see,” Simon explained. “Had I seen it, I would have dealt with it, and that was the only issue. For me, everything else was fine. Nobody really came to me directly, but I’ve heard one or two players speak about the crack. That was of no major concern to me because that was really out of the playing area.”

While the crack might have been off the typical batting line, its effect was undeniable. Seales was virtually unplayable, claiming seven wickets in the second innings to go with three in the first.

Earlier on the fateful third morning, he had Jahmar Hamilton caught at second slip after a rearing ball found the glove, just three balls after striking towering allrounder Rahkeem Cornwall on the shoulder with a bouncer.

Despite the horror show, Simon vowed that the shame of Tuesday would never be repeated. Praising his hard-working staff, he issued a solemn promise to the nation of Antigua and Barbuda.

“From now on, I’m making this promise to the nation of Antigua and Barbuda and to the management and staff of Sir Viv that once I’m here, we will definitely try to put things in place so that this never happens again.”

(CMC)