PCL: ‘Leeward players complain of diarrhea and vomiting’ – Match Referee
SUMMARY: Jaguars 196 (Christopher Barnwell 58; Rahkeem Cornwall 4-70) and 261 (Clinton Pestano 46; Cornwall 6-70) versus Hurricanes 175 (Damion Jacobs 34; Pestano 4-50) and 32-1 (Montcin Hodge 16*).
One hour, 50 minutes of play was lost in the second session of day three between Guyana Jaguars and Leeward Islands Hurricanes at the National Stadium, Providence, after the players on the visiting side complained of “diarrhea and vomiting.”
According to Match Referee, Reon King, in an exclusive interview with News Room Sport, “After lunch, the Leeward Islands management approached the umpires explaining that eight of the players were not feeling well with symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. I summoned the Guyana team management and the medical personnel at the venue to explain to them what came to light and it was decided to suspend play due to exceptional circumstances.”
He added, “We then asked the medical personnel to evaluate the situation of the eight players that complained of diarrhea and vomiting. We gave them the power to do such evaluation and upon completion they stated that four of the players were feeling a lot better, but they needed a bit more time to evaluate the rest of that originally were not feeling well so we decided to give them that hour.
At around 2 o’clock they [medical team] said everything was fine. We said to the Leeward Islands management that the medical team here is satisfied that the players are medically fit. As the match referee and with the umpires we asked them to take the field which was decided they do it at the post-tea session.”
The symptoms were consistent with food poisoning, but the Guyana Cricket Board, in a Facebook post, said that was not the case, further indicating that only two players were unwell.
“There was absolutely no evidence of food poisoning to any player. A few players were treated and about two of them claimed that they were not well enough to take the field. The GCB has pulled out all stops to ensure the health and wellbeing of all the players were well taken care of,” the GCB said.
King, the former Guyana and Windies pacer, indicated that if a similar scenario occurs on the final day, a similar posture would be adopted.
Sunday’s final day is sizing up to be deeply intriguing, given the delay on Saturday and the constant threat of rain. The match is delicately poised with Hurricanes hoping to create a massive swirl and reach a target of 291, while defending champions Jaguars will be hunting nine wickets.
At the stumps, the score was 37-1 with Montcin Hodge (16*) and Keacy Carty resolute on three from 35 balls at the crease. In-form seamer Keemo Paul had Kieran Powell out leg before for seven.
Jaguars started the day in the ascendancy, given they led by 97 and had eight wickets in the bag. From that position, Tagenarine Chanderpaul slowly ticked from his overnight total of 15 to score 40 from 175 balls until off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall struck, trapping the left-hander plump in front.
Christopher Barnwell (12), Anthony Bramble (14) and Sherfane Rutherford (4) all went cheaply and the visitors were gaining a footing back into the match until a commendable lower-order rally.
From 138-6, Jaguars’ final four wickets added 131 runs. There were enterprising knocks from Clinton Pestano, who smashed four sixes in his 46, Romario Shepherd (39) and Keemo Paul (22), who was bowled on the stroke of lunch.
Cornwall again was the man of destruction, taking 6-70 to end with match figures of 10-140.
The final day’s play commences at 09:00h. Admission to the venue is free.
RELATED LINKS:
http://newsroom.gy/2019/01/19/breaking-suspected-food-poisoning-causes-providence-delay/
http://newsroom.gy/2019/01/19/update-no-evidence-food-poisoning-says-gcb-as-play-restarts/
