Tasmanian Tigers v Western Warriors Pura Cup match abandoned
The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed today that the Tasmanian Tigers versus Western Warriors Pura Cup match at Bellerive Oval had been abandoned due to unacceptable pitch conditions.
Australian Cricket Board
06-Feb-2003
The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed today that the Tasmanian Tigers versus Western Warriors Pura Cup match at Bellerive Oval had been abandoned due to unacceptable pitch conditions.
Following the first session of the second day's play, Tasmanian Tigers captain Jamie Cox and Western Warriors captain Justin Langer expressed concern about the pitch's condition to umpires John Smeaton and Ken McGinniss.
A report from the umpires detailed that the pitch was producing extreme variations in bounce, causing dangerous batting conditions.
An ACB investigation has been launched and will be carried out using the process outlined in clause 19 of the Pura Cup Playing Conditions, which states:
19.1 In the event of a match being abandoned because of negligent pitch and/or ground preparation it is considered that the match be awarded to the visiting team.
19.2 For the purposes of this clause, the local state association will be deemed to have been negligent if the match is abandoned as a direct or indirect result of the local state association (or any of its employees, contractors or agents) failing to take proper precautions in the circumstances to ensure that:
- the pitch was properly prepared; or
- the pitch was properly protected against the elements or other acts of God, vandalism or foul play, machinery or equipment failure or other reasonably foreseeable events.
19.3 The ACB Cricket Operations department shall arrange and ensure that a thorough investigation of the circumstances into the abandonment of the match is conducted and that a report be presented to a forum (to be determined) for decision and penalty if appropriate.
The outcome of the ACB investigation will be released when it is known.
Should it be deemed that the Tasmanian Cricket Association has shown negligence, the state risks handing all available match points (six) to the Western Warriors.
The ING Cup match between the same two sides on Sunday 9 February will be played on another pitch at Bellerive Oval.