ICC rues Antigua fiasco, salutes ARG spirit

New Delhi:

International Cricket Council CEO Haroon Lorgat on Tuesday rued the farce at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground and saluted the West Indian spirit that made it possible to host the third England-West Indies Test match at the Antigua Recreation Ground on a short notice.

Only 10 deliveries were bowled before the second Test at the VRCG was abandoned after the sandy outfield was deemed too risky for the bowlers.

"It was unfortunate. I was hoping to go there. We didn't anticipate such a thing. It was very, very unfortunate and unacceptable," Lorgat said here on Tuesday.

"Test cricket is very, very important, something we need to treasure," he said.

The ICC official took the occasion to salute those who worked hard to prepare ARG for the ongoing third Test.

"It was warming to see the spirit in Antigua, every one got involved and worked to make ARG overnight a Test venue," Lorgat said.

Talking about the referral system which seems to have polarised opinions, the ICC officials made it clear that the new rule is here to stay.

"I think there is place for the referral system to aide the umpires in cricket. We didn't have it in Antigua for some reasons but it is here to stay in some form or the other," Lorgat said.