First day's play abandoned
The first day's play of the second Test between West Indies and England has been abandoned because of the poor state of the playing surface.
Match referee Alan Hurst was called into the middle at 10.40am by umpires Rudi Koertzen and Tony Hill after the West Indies bowlers Jerome Taylor and Fidel Edwards struggled to run to the crease.
The heavily-sanded outfield at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium caused plenty of controversy in the build-up to the match but captains Andrew Strauss and Chris Gayle both agreed to play on Thursday. However, only 10 deliveries were possible in 14 minutes on the field either side of an early-morning shower.
Hurst told Sky Sports: "The bowlers are having problems with their footings. They were having trouble getting any traction at all.
"The umpires have agreed with that. It is a health hazard for the players. Play has been abandoned for the day as the ground is unfit."
Hurst confirmed other options would now be looked at.
"Rather than saying the game is abandoned, we are saying it is abandoned for the day," he added.
"I am not sure what the options are, maybe extend the time for the Test and play it at another venue. That will have to be a decision made by the boards and the ICC."
