Rodney calls for better pitches for First Class competition

0
450
- Advertisement -

Former coach of the Leeward Islands Hurricanes and President of the Antigua & Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA), Leon Rodney, has called on the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to pay keener attention to the preparation of pitches during regional competitions.
His call follows a low-scoring affair between the Hurricanes and Jamaica Scorpions in Jamaica during a seventh round Regional 4 Day clash at Sabina Park.
Hurricanes won the contest by 34 runs within three days following scores of 71 and 133 in response to Jamaica’s 56 and 114 innings totals respectively.
“If our First Class competition is going to operate like that, then the West Indies Cricket Board (has) to look into the preparation of the grounds, especially in Jamaica. There are just too many issues of that happening in Jamaica for us
not to be concerned and maybe the West Indies Cricket Board needs to give a special eye. You can’t
tell me that two first class teams playing – one is out
for 71, one is out for 76, one for 133 and one for 113 so there is not even 500 First Class runs in the match,” he said.
According to Rodney, Jamaica has a history of producing questionable pitches during these and other tournaments.
“When I was coaching Leeward Islands in 2010, as a matter of a fact we had two games stopped in Jamaica and the pitch had to be re-organised; and one was against Guyana in Sabina and then the England Test match that was stopped so when I saw these figures I am saying that something has to be wrong,” he said.
The two teams combined for a total of 374 runs in three days with pacer Jeremiah Louis finishing with figures of eight for 27; and Antigua’s Alzarri Joseph claiming his fourth five-wicket haul in only his 15th first class game with five for 43.

- Advertisement -