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No play again Umpires, ground staff differ over wet outfield
Posted: Monday January 17, 2000 11:25 AM
CENTURION, South Africa (Reuters) -- Umpires and ground staff were at odds Monday as to whether Centurion Park was fit for play on the fourth day of the fifth test between South Africa and England. Not a ball has been bowled since South Africa, which lost the toss and was asked to bat, scored 155 for six in the 45 overs that were possible on the first day on Friday. Barry Jarman, the International Cricket Council referee for the series, said he and umpires Darrell Hair and Rudi Koertzen agreed the outfield was unfit for play. "The game is in the umpires' hands -- they're the boss -- but I don't think it's playable unless you're going to bowl spinners from both ends," Jarman said. "It's very soft underfoot in parts of the outfield, and because the water table has come up so far, I can't see it getting any better today." Besides the wet outfield, the bowlers' run-up at the southern end of the ground was also sodden. "The curators think it's playable, but I don't think they understand about fast bowlers running in from that dicey end," Jarman said. "If I was the skipper I wouldn't be happy about my fast bowlers operating from that end." "It's the umpires' decision, but from our point of view we think the ground is playable," said head groundsman Hilbert Smith. Jarman said the match would run its course, weather permitting, squashing rumors that the test would be called off and a one-day international played on the final day. The managing director of the United Cricket Board (UCB), Ali Bacher, said England captain Nasser Hussain had put forward that idea. "To the credit of the England captain, he volunteered to play a day-night game on Tuesday to give the public some value," Bacher said. "But the UCB have contractual obligations to international and domestic television and radio broadcasters, and our one-day cricket has a different sponsor. "South African captain Hansie Cronje also spoke to his team about it, and they were not supportive of the idea."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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