No Test Match?


BBC
January 15, 1998


The West Indies Cricket Board will decide whether England's third Test with the West Indies can go ahead in trouble-torn Guyana.

The match, scheduled to start on February 27, is in doubt because of political unrest in the country after last month's elections.

The Foreign Office has advised against travel to the country after a bomb explosion last week in the only major hotel in Georgetown, the country's capital.

Guyanan Cricket Board secretary Bish Panday said: "It will depend what happens between now and next week as to whether the match will be played here or at another venue in the Caribbean, maybe Antigua.

The British High Commission in Guyana are liaising closely with the English Cricket Board, England tour manager Bob Bennett, and tour captain Mike Atherton as to the present situation on the island.

An English Cricket Board statement said: "In view of the fact that the England cricket team is not due in Guyana until February 19, the Foreign Office is waiting to see how the situation develops over the next week before offering specific advice.

The England squad are currently in Jamaica preparing for their first tour match.