Rain wrecks first Test, match drawn

GEORGETOWN, MAY 10. The West Indies and Pakistan drew the rain- wrecked first Test of their three-match series on Tuesday after the final day was abandoned because the pitch was unplayable.

The entire fourth day had also been lost after a three-hour torrential downpour on Monday morning left much of the Bourda pitch, which lies slightly below sea level, under water.

Ground staff attempted to mop up some of the remaining water this morning but their task, with the outfield still soaked, appeared impossible and another shower speeded up the inevitable.

The match had been delicately poised when bad light stopped play on Sunday, with the West Indies on 222 for seven in reply to Pakistan's first innings total of 288 all out.

The first two hours and 20 minutes of Sunday's play were also lost to rain, while bad light cost the teams a further hour in the evening.

Controversial decision

The outcome is bound to fuel the controversy over the West Indies Cricket Board's (WICB) decision to play at Bourda, which is notoriously slow to drain, at the start of the rainy season.

It was the first time an attempt had been made to play a Test in Georgetown after the end of the April, when the drier season ends.

The WICB had drawn up emergency measures to move the Test to Jamaica after unseasonal rain during April but dry weather in the 10 days up to the match left the outfield in good condition and it went ahead as planned.

In the event, Cana (Caribbean News Agency) radio said a move to Jamaica would have been even more embarrassing as it had rained there on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the first three days of the Test.

The limited action which took place confirmed that both teams, which meet again in Barbados starting on May 19 before the final Test in Antigua, were stronger in the bowling than the batting department.

Improved team spirit under Adams

It was also clear that team spirit in the West Indies side had improved greatly since Jimmy Adams, under whom the West Indies are unbeaten in three Tests, took over as captain from Brian Lara.

A fascinating match had swung both ways until it was ruined by the weather.

West Indies took the initiative as it reduced Pakistan to 39 for five on the first day.

Inzamam-Ul-Haq then reaffirmed his status as Pakistan's only world class batsman as he rescued them by scoring 135 for his 10th Test century.

He was ably backed by Abdur Razzaq, who came within 13 runs of his maiden Test century. Inzamam and Razzaq shared a sixth-wicket stand of 206.

Pakistan was eventually bowled out for 288 halfway through the second day but their bowlers, particularly leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, quickly had the home team in trouble.

Mushtaq took three wickets for 91 as the inexperienced West Indies batsmen struggled to 139 for six, putting the visitors firmly in the driving seat.

The home team was then rescued by Shivnarine Chanderpaul who, batting in front of his home fans and having recovered from the fatigue that kept him out of the series against Zimbabwe, showed glimpses of his old self as he hit an unbeaten 46. Chanderpaul shared a record seventh-wicket partnership for West Indies against Pakistan with fast bowler Nixon McLean, who delighted the crowd with an entertaining 46 which included nine 4s, three of them in one over from Mushtaq.

- Reuters

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