Freak Lightning Strikes Dillon, Thomas

A sudden bolt of lightning struck the Kensington Park in Jamaica during the Trinidad/Leewards Red Stripe game, injuring West Indies pacer Merv Dillon and Windwards fast bowler Fernix Thomas.

The freak lightning struck at exactly 12:15 p.m. with Thomas getting ready to bowl from the northern end and Dillon taking strike. "The sound of thunder was the loudest I have ever heard in my life. the thing was very, very, very, very frightening," one eyewitness related.

The lightening came from the north and apparently rode on electricity wires and burst onto the ground. The fact that Thomas (who was at the top of his mark) and Dillon (striker) were hit, along with umpire Basil Morgan who seemed somewhat dazed, it appeared that the bolt went straight down the middle of the ground.

The frightening episode happened in bright sunshine and without warning. "It struck really hard between two trees at the fine leg boundary (on the south of the ground) where the Gleaner photographer, the Observer photographer and West Indies selector Joey Carew were sitting on yellow metal chairs. They all scattered in an instant," the eyewitness told CaribbeanCricket.com.

He said Carew ran straight into the pavilion swearing that he thought he was dead. Several hours later, Carew still appeared very shook up.

Fernix Thomas, a fast bowler from Dominica, suffered the most. Upon being struck by the lightning, he immediately latched onto his neck dived to the ground. Completely disoriented, Thomas ran straight to midwicket then ran around in circles then into the pavilion.

Dillon began clutching his forearms then slumped to the ground and leaned over into his lap. The Trinidadian, who was batting with a helmet, received treatment during a 20-minute stoppage. He eventually walked slowly off the field, visibly disoriented.

Inexplicably, there were no doctors in attendance. Both players were taken to the UWI Mona Hospital and admitted for overnight observation.

The incident happened with Trinidad stuggling at 111 for seven with Thomas about to bowl the 39th over. After the delay, play resumed and Thomas returned to the field and bowled the third over after the lightening struck. However, he went off the field after that over complaining of a severe headache and a burning sensation across the back of his neck and at the back of his head.

Dillon was having trouble hearing from his left ear when he was leaving the ground.

Many fans and observers at the ground expressed disgust that the umpires (Basil Morgan and Dalton Holder) along with the match refree (Maurice Clarke) allowed the game to continue given that the lightning was still flashing and the thunder rumbling and the players were clearly afraid.

The fielders were obviously jaded and Dinanath Ramnarine ran back into the pavilion afraid to go out when the lightening began to strike again (though very lightly) just as he was taking the field.

Dillon may have been hardest hit because he was wearing a helmet with metal grill and a gold chain (which is a strong conductor of electricity). The physio on hand instructed all the players to remove their gold jewelry after the incident.

Against all expectations, the umpires forced the players to bowl the last over in pouring rain apparently just to let Trinidadian batsman Shazam Babwah reach his century. At that point, it made no sense to continue when it was virtually known to all that there would be no more play.

Trinidad & Tobago's innings ended at 198 for seven of 50 overs with Babwah's unbeaten 103 being the highlight.