11.50am The groundsmen have their buckets and spades out and are digging out huge quantities of sand. We don't know why they are doing this, but that's what's happening. It's an unmitigated shambles out there, and there's isn't much more we can tell you for the time being. For now, we'll say goodbye, and we may or may not see you tomorrow for the second day's play. In the meantime, keep abreast of all developments at our breaking news blog.
11.20am Nearly half-an-hour after it was abandoned, the ground authorities finally announce it on the PA for the crowd. It is met with boos. Understandably so too
Literally hundreds of emails flying in - we just cannot keep up or read them all, though many thanks for airing your views (and anger). You can submit all your comments and emails at the match bulletin. Keep them spirited but clean, and they'll appear on the page in due course.
Laughably, there hasn't yet been a public announcement at the ground. The spectators are milling around, hoping and expecting for an update. If any of you are reading...go back to your hotels.
Cricinfo's favourite Caribbean writer, Vaneisa Baksh, is hugely embarrassed and angry. "How could a ground that had already made its debut as a water-logging hog, become a sand trap?" she asks. "How could it have been transformed and presented for an international match without at least having been tested with some matches? It is the most appalling display of ineptitude."
Keep an eye on our Twitter feed over today and tomorrow in particular. We'll keep you abreast of what's happening.
A die-hard West Indies fan, going by the name of DieHardWindiesFan, is beyond angry. "This is a really distasteful and disgraceful situation. I can't believe this has happened again to us in the Caribbean; the WICB must take the full blame for this huge embarrassment."
Here's a thought. What about Mr Stanford? I hear he has a ground somewhere. The most logical decision would be to delay the Test by three days and stage it at the old "rec" - Antigua Recreation Ground. But can they get a suitable pitch ready in time? That's the issue.
"What on earth are the ICC and WICB doing in allowing this to take place?" asks Justin. "All those travelling fans and locals buoyed by the Taylor heroics have been so badly let down. Surely they could have tested the run-ups yesterday or previously to see what was likely to happen? Those organisations are being run worse than a Swiss Bank."
Ian Botham is furious, kicking at the sand on the outfield in disgust. Mikey Holding says he doesn't think the Test can go on, and it does seem implausible that the rest of the Test will continue.
Deary me. This is a galloping farce. "A nice easy day on the commentary then what does the rest of the day hold now?" asks the confusingly named Dogva. Well...dissecting this mess, one presumes. "The WICB should be embarrassed," spits Andrew from Jamaica.
"At least there won't be an English collapse today," Tom quips. "It really is just an embarrassment to call this the highest level of the game and not have at least a decent ground to play on," slams Randy from the USA. "This is injustice to the great Sir Viv," says Russell from the West Indies.
10.55am So, that, I'm afraid, is that. There will be no more play on the first day in Antigua, and conceivably no more play in this match at all. What on earth do you make of this farce? Send us your feedback.
10.49am This is a sensation. Hurst has said that they will look into all options, maybe even the relocation of the match to another venue ... conceivably the venerable ARG in St John's. "I'm not sure what those options are, maybe extending the time for the Test and looking at another venue, maybe back-to-back Tests in Barbados. But for today, this ground is unfit for play."
10.48am Alan Hurst, the match referee, confirms that play has been abandoned for the day. "The bowlers have deemed the run-ups to be a safety hazard," says Hurst. "Everyone felt, including the umpires that it would be okay. It would have been jumping the gun to call it off before play."
10.47am For a moment it looked as those the batsmen were leaving the field ... and now, after stopping for a chat, the West Indians are joining them.
10.45am Andrew McGlashan in the press box confirms the suspicion we are getting from the TV pictures. "The feeling is growing that this could be called off," he says. "Extraordinary scenes as a mid-pitch discussion decides the future of this match." Meanwhile, up in the commentary booth, Sir Viv himself is talking animatedly about the farcical scenes. This ground does not deserve to bear his great name.
10.42am I am beginning to fear that we are about to have our second aborted Test match. Sabina Park lasted 10.1 overs before the game was called off. This one is in serious danger of setting a new record.
10.40am Slow hand-clapping now, as this delay extends into its fifth minute. Strauss and Gayle are in deep discussion, just as Atherton and Lara were in 1997-98, and now the match referee, Alan Hurst, is on his way to the middle to join the deliberations.
Yet another aborted run-up, and Edwards flings the ball away in disgust. This is becoming a very serious issue indeed ... Edwards and Gayle are now in discussion with the umpires.
Shades of Sabina Park 1997-98 are in the air here. That was dangerous to batsmen, this is just hopeless for bowlers. There's nothing that Edwards can do about it. He is an elite athlete, who expects, at the very least, to be able to sprint to the crease without fearing that the ground beneath his ankle is going to give way beneath him
