The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) have said they regret the abandonment of the first Test against England because of the state of the Sabina Park wicket.

It is the first time in Test cricket's 121-year history that a match has been abandoned because of the state of the pitch.

Announcing the board's decision to call the game off, following an emergency meeting, WIBC President Pat Rousseau blamed the Jamaican Cricket Board for the state of the newly-laid pitch.

Rousseau promised that money would be refunded to spectators.

Michael Atherton describes his decision (0'14")

England captain Michael Atherton was deeply concerned. "The pitch was dangerous. The safety of the players was paramount," he said.

"I don't want to get into worst pitches, but I repeat it was dangerous. That is why the decision was taken."

The Test series was supposed to be five matches long, and England tour manager Bob Bennett is determined that all five should be played.

"We will be talking to the West Indies Board over the next few days and I am optimistic that we will be able to reschedule the Test."

"It is important that we have a five-Test series," he said.

Alec Stewart explains life on the pitch (0'9")

Alec Stewart, who was hit during the barrage, said: "I won't be having an X-ray. When you were batting there were balls doing more than they should have done. You knew you were going to take hits. It was just a case of when and how many."

He added: "Athers was called on as captain, had a chat and it was decided it wasn't fit."

Mark Butcher takes it on the chin

Both the former West Indies fast bowling legend Michael Holding and the former England all-rounder Ian Botham described the condition of the pitch as "a disgrace".

"This pitch is not fit for Test cricket or even club cricket for that matter. It is completely substandard. Our fast bowlers don't want to seriously injure anyone," said Holding. "It is an embarrassment."

Botham was similarly scathing. "The pitch is not worthy of international cricket. It is a disgrace. Someone is going to get seriously hurt," he said.

Barry Jarman, the match referee, was distraught at having to call the match off. "I am crying tears and blood. People have come from England just to watch this match. My heart goes out to them."

England physiotherapist Wayne Morton spent more time at the wicket than some of the batsmen

The England physiotherapist Wayne Morton said that even the West Indian attack were "embarrassed" by the state of the pitch at Sabina Park.

Morton said: "You don't often see too many apologetic West Indian fast bowlers but they were almost embarrassed by some of the things that were going on.

"You always fear for batsmen's faces particularly on a wicket behaving like it seemed to be doing this morning," he said.

"There are medals for bravery to be taken but at the end of the day we want to play on a level playing field. We have a very good squad and we want to be able to take them through this tour with them all available."

The West Indian tour manager Clive Lloyd was also disappointed for the local fans who had turned up to watch the match.

He said: "It is very sad because thousands have turned up to watch the match and it is disappointing for them. Cricket never fails to surprise me. It is just unfortunate at the moment but that is what has happened."
 

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