Killer bounce at Sabina Park sends batsmen cowering

MOST of those involved seemed to endorse the decision as the four-day Jamaica Franchise cricket trial match was called off after only four balls were bowled on yesterday's second day at Sabina Park.

The umpires deemed the pitch unfit for play, and after consulting the coaching staff, the players were asked to leave the field.

A few batsmen suffered knocks due to the uneven bounce on Tuesday, but the grass-covered pitch appeared even more treacherous yesterday morning.

The fourth ball of fast bowler Jason Dawes' first over bounced sharply from a full length and nearly decapitated batsman Kemar Marshall as he leaned forward to play. At that point the umpires decided they had seen enough.

Head Coach Junior Bennett said he and the rest of the staff had to put the players' health above all else.

"Yes, the match has been called off because the umpires deemed it unfit for play. It's extremely disappointing... [but] we had to look out for the health of the players," he told reporters.