T&T captain Daren Ganga. - File
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):
Reigning champions Trinidad and Tobago ad-vanced to the KFC Cup final after their day/night semi-final match against Barbados was abandoned without a ball being bowled at the Three Ws Oval yesterday.
Following overnight and early morning rain that left the outfield soggy in some areas, the ground was ruled unfit for play after match officials made five inspections.
Trinidad and Tobago qualified for the final on account of a better net run-rate than Barbados in the preliminaries.
Shortly after the final inspection at 5:45 p.m., officials, headed by on-field umpires Norman Malcolm and Clyde Duncan, informed opposing captains Daren Ganga and Corey Collymore of their decision.
All options
"We exhausted all the options available to us. We had not seen significant improvement of the facility," Malcolm told CMC's CricketPlus.
"That whole ring outside the 30-yard (circle) was still soggy and wet. When you walk on it, you can still see water coming out."
Malcolm and fellow officials made inspections at 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. before making their decision.
It was a disappointment for several spectators who were expecting the hosts to make a strong challenge to the defending champions.
Suitable condition
Trinidad and Tobago captain Daren Ganga said the ground never appeared to be in suitable condition.
"From the very first time we arrived at the ground, conditions were unfit for play and not having the sun come out really didn't help the cause in terms of getting the outfield ready," Ganga said.
"It's difficult for a team coming into a semi-final not having an opportunity to play and being a home team too."
Barbados coach Hendy Springer was saddened at the outcome.
"It is very, very disappointing. I could have seen the look in the Barbados team's eyes. It looked to me that the guys were up for it," Springer said.
"It is unfortunate that it had to end this way. It shows that we have to go a lot better next time around in the preliminary games so we can end up with the shoe on the other foot."
