Cricket: Pitch at Sabina `fit for Test'

SABINA PARK, notorious as the only ground to have forced the abandonment of a Test match, will be ready for the second Test between Australia and the West Indies, the groundsman said. "We are on target for Saturday. We will not be having a repeat of that [abandonment] this time," Pat Gordon, a member of the Sabina staff, said.

Management said much has been done to prevent a repeat of the embarrassing spectacle against England last year, which saw the first Test halted after only 10.1 overs. Umpires ruled the pitch was not up to standard after several of the English batsmen were struck by short-pitched deliveries.

Three first-class matches have been played at Sabina Park since January. "The spinners got a lot out of [the pitch] in the Busta Cup matches and we are expecting the same for the Test," Gordon said.

The West Indies are still hoping to have their fast bowler Curtly Ambrose fit for the match, which starts in Kingston, Jamaica, tomorrow. Ambrose has been declared fit for his 86th Test despite suffering a knee strain in the crushing first Test defeat at Port of Spain, Trinidad but there are fears he may suffer a reaction.