The umpires – Leslie Reifer and Zahid Bassarath – took the decision to abandon the match in which 27 wickets had fallen across the first 147 overs of the four-day match, one of only 12 fixtures in a reduced domestic first-class season.
Leeward Islands were 96 runs ahead with three second-innings wickets in hand when Louis was struck by a ball that reared sharply from a good length. He was felled and slapped the pitch in frustration, before jumping to his feet and booting his helmet towards square leg.
He then received medical attention before being stretchered off and taken to hospital in an ambulance. After a lengthy delay, which involved consultation with groundstaff and match referee Johnathan Blades, the umpires informed captains Joshua Da Silva and Justin Greaves that the match was being stopped.
Leeward Islands coach Wilden Cornwall told CWI’s live stream that he had “had my doubts” about the pitch conditions from the first morning and suggested that the pitch was under-prepared. “To me, it wasn’t given the preparation of a four-day wicket, hence we see so many players get damaged… The pitch has been misbehaving throughout the entire three days,” he said.
Seales had taken all seven wickets to fall in Leeward Islands’ second innings, in addition to the three he had taken in their first innings. In his first over of the third morning, Seales had Jahmar Hamilton caught at second slip with a ball that reared to hit his glove, three balls after striking the towering Rahkeem Cornwall on the shoulder with a bouncer.
Trinidad & Tobago coach Rayad Emrit said it was “very disappointing” to see the game abandoned and asked why it took until the third morning for the decision to be taken. “To be blatantly honest, the bounce has been inconsistent throughout the two-and-a-half days,” he said. “For me, if that’s the decision, they should have made it on day one.”
CWI said in a statement: “Following discussions with the curator, it was determined [by the umpires] that the pitch could not be safely repaired without creating an unfair advantage and was therefore deemed unfit to resume, resulting in the match being abandoned as a draw.
“Both teams will be awarded points earned up until the abandonment of the contest in accordance with the championship’s playing conditions.”
The statement added: “CWI further advises that no matches are scheduled at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium until the Championship Final, set for May 17-20, and confirms that all necessary resources and expertise will be deployed to ensure the preparation of a safe and competitive playing surface for that fixture.
“It is also important to note that the surface used for the Leeward Islands vs Trinidad and Tobago match is one of six pitches available at the venue and differs from the one used for match one of the Guyana vs Windward Islands series. CWI will continue to prioritise player safety while ensuring the highest standards of pitch preparation and match operations across all venues.”
As for Louis, a further assessment will be carried out before the squad is announced for the next match, scheduled to begin at the Antigua Recreation Ground on Sunday.
