Boards warned over Test grounds after Antigua fiasco

Chief executives of major cricket countries agreed Wednesday that host boards will have to guarantee the suitability of grounds for international matches following the Antigua fiasco.

All countries will be required to notify the International Cricket Council (ICC) in February each year which venues it planned to use over the next 12 months, together with a written guarantee that the grounds were of a suitable standard.

The decision was made after the second Test between West Indies and England at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium earlier this month was abandoned after just 10 balls because of an unfit outfield.

"The members (of the ICC Chief Executives' Committee) have now reaffirmed that it is the host Member Board's responsibility to produce a venue that is up to standard and fit for the purpose of staging internationals," said ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat.

The circumstances that led to the abandonment are being investigated by the ICC.

Match referee Alan Hurst has submitted a report to the ICC which has been forwarded to the West Indies Cricket Board, which in turn must submit its own report. ICC general manager, cricket, David Richardson and chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle will study the evidence before passing judgment.

The ICC has the power to impose a sanction ranging from a warning or a fine up to a suspension of international status for the venue.

The chief executives also decided at the end of their two-day meeting here that there should be a substantial increase in prize money for the ICC Test Championship.

JOHANNESBURG,

Thursaday, AFP