Extra Test for WI-England series

KINGSTON, Jan 30: The first Test between West Indies and England was abandoned here on Thursday because of a dangerous pitch after only 10.1...

KINGSTON, Jan 30: The first Test between West Indies and England was abandoned here on Thursday because of a dangerous pitch after only 10.1 overs of the first day8217;s play. It was the first time in cricket history that a Test had been called off because of a dangerous surface. But a One-day international last December between India and Sri Lanka in Indore was abandoned under similar circumstances.

Today, England had reached 17 for three when captain Mike Atherton took his batsmen off after physiotherapist Wayne Morton was called on to the field seven times to treat England batsmen hit by wicked rearing deliveries.

The West Indies Board of Control then held an emergency meeting before announcing the decision, with WIBC president Pat Rousseau blaming the Jamaican Cricket Board for the state of the newly laid pitch.

Rousseau added that the board regretted having to abandon the Test and promised that money would be refunded to spectators.

In the opening over, Atherton saw a delivery whistle past his backand the next ball skid through at ankle height to wicket-keeper David Williams.

Atherton was undone trying to withdraw from a lifter, but jabbed a low catch into gully. Next ball, late recruit Mark Butcher could do nothing about a monster delivery, which climbed, hit him on the gloves and flew to third slip.

Both those early wickets went to deposed captain Courtney Walsh. Then Nasser Hussain was squared up by a delivery from Curtly Ambrose and caught at second slip.

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BACK TO BACK TESTS:In a rapid rescheduling of the tour itinerary, England will now play back-to-back Tests at the Queens Park Oval in Trinidad after the first Test was abandoned because of a dangerous wicket after only 61 balls yesterday.

The substitute Test will start next Thursday with the scheduled second match of the series commencing on February 13.

Scoreboard: England 1st innings: M Atherton c Campbell b Walsh 2, A Stewart not out 9, Butcher c S C Williams b Walsh 0, N Hussain c Hooper b Ambrose 1, G Thorpe notout 0; Extras b4, nb1 5.

Total: for three wickets in 10.1 overs 17

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-4, 3-9

Bowling: Walsh 5.1-1-10-2, Ambrose 5-3-3-1