St Johns, February 14:

International Cricket Council (ICC) says the immediate future of the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground (VRCG) will now be subject to the start of its pitch and outfield monitoring process.

Haroon Lorgat, ICC chief executive officer, suggested that the World body has the power to impose a sanction, following the abandonment of the second Test between West Indies and England on Friday. The Test was abandoned after only 10 balls as England reached seven without loss, when match officials felt the sandy outfield particularly in the area of the bowlers’ run-ups, were too dangerous to allow the sham to continue. The penalty for the VRCG could range from a warning or a fine up to a suspension of international status for the venue.

A new Test match, to be staged at the Antigua Recreation Ground, begins on Sunday and Lorgat was grateful that arrangements could be put in place to stage a replacement Tes. He also agreed that the timing of the abandoned Test was unfortunate since this version of the sport was facing a severe battle with Twenty20 cricket.