Cricket: Port of Spain wicket receives some expert attention

Trinidad have called in a soil expert to help with the preparation of the pitch for Thursday's second Test at the Queen's Park Oval.

Dr Frank Gumbs, a scientist with the University of the West Indies, supervised the relaying of the Port of Spain wicket 15 years ago, and is working in conjunction with the manager of the ground: Bryan Davis, the former Glamorgan player.

Davis was due to be present at England's two-day game against Trinidad and Tobago in Point-a-Pierre yesterday to talk with the team management.

The move to bring in expert advice emphasises the extra importance the Trinidad authorities are placing of the quality of the surface for the back-to-back Tests, after the shame of Sabina.

Alloy Lequay, the president of the Trinidad Cricket Board, said he was not worried about the pitch "so long as we have good weather, it will be a good wicket". Trinidad's recent match with the Leeward Islands finished in two days, with Kenny Benjamin taking eight wickets.