West Indies upset over canvas cover
Wellington - A thin canvas, known as scrim, covering the pitch prior to the second day of the second Test between New Zealand and the West Indies yesterday sparked some early controversy
29-Dec-1999
Wellington - A thin canvas, known as scrim, covering the pitch prior
to the second day of the second Test between New Zealand and the West
Indies yesterday sparked some early controversy.
Former West Indies fast bowler Colin Croft, covering the tour for the
international media, saw the scrim on the pitch when he arrived before
play and claimed it was being used to help protect the pitch to assist
the New Zealanders.
West Indies captain Brian Lara was reportedly upset when he saw the
covering on the pitch. But head groundsman Trevor Jackson rejected
claims of gamesmanship.
He said his action was no different from the previous day, and match
referee Raman Subba Row of England and the umpires were comfortable
with it.
'The full covers were taken off early in the morning as usual and the
scrim put down because of the noon start,' he said. 'That actually
prevents the wicket drying any further. If anything it helped the West
Indies.
'We were favouring nobody and cannot afford to for any match,' he
added. 'We are fair to all.'
The scrim was removed about 90 minutes before play began, but Subba
Row said it would not be allowed to stay on before today's play.
'The groundsman had the best interests of the game at heart, but the
rules say it cannot be covered by anything after the covers come off,
even if the start is later than usual,' he said.
Meanwhile, Subba Row said a catchword - 'Oi' - was being used by the
umpires to settle any incidents. He was speaking after New Zealand
fast bowler Dion Nash had words with West Indies opener Adrian
Griffith during yesterday's play.
Subba Row said no official action needed to be taken. It had been
agreed before the match that the word 'Oi' would be used when the
umpires decided enough sledging had gone on.