A domestic cricket match in the West Indies has been abandoned due to dangerous pitch conditions, as a player was hospitalised after being hit in the head off a length delivery. He kicked his helmet in anger after being struck (watch the video above).
The match was between Leeward Islands and Trinidad & Tobago at North Sound’s Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, with the pitch deteriorating to a dangerous degree by day three.
Leeward Islands’ Jeremiah Louis was taken to hospital with a possible concussion after being hit on the helmet by a ball that couldn’t be described as short.
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Jeremiah Louis struck on the head, then kicks his helmet away. Twitter
Seamer Jayden Seales bowled a length ball that reared up, hitting him squarely in the face.
An enraged Louis quickly got to his feet after the hit, kicking his helmet away in disgust with the situation. The poor short leg fielder was forced to evade the incoming helmet.
Louis was taken off on a stretcher and rushed to hospital for assessment. Cricket West Indies later confirmed he was cleared of significant injuries after a CT scan.
Seales had dominated the match to that point on the wonky pitch, taking all seven wickets as Leeward Islands brought the score to 7-140.
The four-day match was declared a draw and abandoned, with Cricket West Indies issuing a statement in the aftermath.
“Following discussions with the curator, it was determined that the pitch could not be safely repaired without creating an unfair advantage and was therefore deemed unfit to resume, resulting in the match being abandoned as a draw,” the statement read.
“Both teams will be awarded points earned up until the abandonment of the contest in accordance with the championship’s playing conditions.”
Jeremiah Louis of Saint Kitts & Nevis Patriots. CPL T20 via Getty Images
Leeward Islands coach Wilden Cornwall expressed his frustration about the pitch in the days that followed.
“To me, it wasn’t given the preparation of a four-day wicket, hence we see so many players get damaged… The pitch has been misbehaving throughout the entire three days,” he said.
Cornwall said Louis was in hospital and hopefully doing OK.
“I just hope that everything goes well for him and [there is] no really serious damage. It was really devastating to see exactly what took place this morning,” he said.
Trinidad & Tobago coach Rayad Emrit was equally frustrated, saying the match should have been called off after day one.
The venue is currently slated to host the West Indies Championship final in May, with significant work needed to ensure the pitch is in better shape. Cricket West Indies have already said it is their top priority.
Louis, 30, has played 62 first class matches, taking 155 wickets and making 1624 runs at an average of 21.94.