Prisoners used to dry Bourda

A HERCULEAN effort by the ground staff of the Bourda Ground yesterday ensured that the One-Day International between the West Indies and England was played although shortened to 30 overs a side. The decision was made after Guyana Cricket Board president Chetram Singh said that “an inspection will be made and, providing that there is no rain, play will start as scheduled. Singh noted that the groundsmen covered 80 percent of the ground, which have remained saturated after heavy rains on Thursday and Friday.

Such was the state of the outfield and, by extension, the pitch, that inmates from the neighbouring Camp Street Prison were called out to help in the mopping-up operations for the duration of the day. A helicopter from the Guyana Defence Force was also summoned to assist in proceedings on Saturday afternoon and yesterday morning. Commenting on the arduous work by the groundstaff, veteran commentator Joseph “Reds” Perreira stated: “This was first done during the Kerry Packer World Series Cricket (in the 1970s) and ever since, it has been used at Bourda in demanding circumstances.”

And the situation demanded such on Saturday, after overnight rains prevented both cricket teams from practising at the venue, and forcing the homesters to do some indoor training at the National Sports Commission building. Singh revealed that due to the persistent rainfall over the past few days, ticket sales have been moderate but, depending on the prevailing weather, he expected a capacity crowd of 10,000 to cheer on the home team. The Caribbean cricketers were led for the first time by hometown hero Ramnaresh Sarwan, as captain Brian Lara is resting an injured finger.