Cancellation of Ellerslie match costs St Catherine’s

The Barbados Cricket Association’s (BCA) recent stance to give a no-decision in the match involving Crane Resort St. Catherine’s Club and The Ellerslie School has nothing to do with victimization or singling out of any team, says BCA director of cricket, Steven Leslie.

Leslie made it clear that the BCA’s focus since the announcement of the cluster of COVID-19 cases that were linked back to the Ellerslie School has been to ensure the safety of all participants. The BCA has taken precautionary measures after two students at Ellerslie tested positive for the Coronavirus and the school being subsequently closed for two weeks as a result

“It is unfortunate for any entity to suggest that there is any form of victimization or singling out as we remain very focused on ensuring the safety of our member clubs or schools. There is an opportunity following the investigations by the government officials for all parties concerned to respond maturely and sensibly as we all try to navigate an uncertain virus known as COVID-19,” he said.

St Catherine’s were looking forward to playing Ellerslie as a victory and a resulting four points would have placed them in the position of outright winners. The current standings within the BCA T20 shield tournament has St. Catherine’s in the first position in zone D and the possibility of being surpassed on points is not likely. St. Catherine’s are top of the zone on 20 points and their closest rivals are Queen’s College on a total of 18. Based on the BCA’s decision to give a no result, it means St. Catherine’s will be granted two points which will carry them to 22 points. If Queen’s College win their next match in series nine this weekend then they too will move on to 22 (four points for a win) and tie top of the zone with St. Catherine’s.

Leslie explained that it would be prudent for all teams involved and particularly the St. Catherine’s and Queen’s College school teams who can both amass the same number of points (22) to work with the BCA. The reason being that both teams need to assist the BCA in conferring what their net run rates would be after the completion of the ninth series of matches this weekend.

St. Catherine’s are hoping that the BCA would allow the match to play two weeks from now after the mandatory quarantine period. But  Leslie is contending that the BCA cannot do that because tests are still ongoing and there is no assurance that the closure at that Black Rock-based institution will not be further extended based on the findings of those results. He said also that the playoffs for this year’s tournament were very imminent.

“The BCA has an established set of rules in terms of dealing with any concerns by any member clubs or schools. At the moment what we have done is to ensure that safety of all players, match officials and the general public remains our number one priority. As such we will respond if there is any official correspondence shared by any member clubs or school to query any recent decision made in this COVID-19 environment.

“We anticipate that the competition will continue with hopefully no further concerns based on the work that has to be done by the Ministry of Health and also by the Ministry of Education and we look forward to having our playoffs, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals completed in short order,” Leslie said.

He added: “Rest assured the BCA will work with all clubs and schools to ensure that fairness and safety remain the focus as we complete the 2020 domestic season.”

Efforts by Barbados TODAY to reach the president of the St. Catherine’s Club Ryle Stuart were unsuccessful up to publication time. However last night on the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation evening news, Stuart praised the BCA’s decision for taking precautionary measures. But at the same time he noted that cricket’s local governing body should have spoken with the club first before making a decision.

“As president of St.Catherine’s Sports Club, I would like to commend the Barbados Cricket Association for making the call on the match slated for the 11th of October between St. Catherine’s Intermediate and Ellerslie School due to the COVID situation. I would also like to state that courtesy should have been extended to us, giving heads up on the decision and for us to share our input,” Stuart said.

As head of the St. Catherine’s Club, Stuart added that he also believed that his club was at a disadvantage with a no-decision and is suggesting that the match be played after the two-week quarantine period is over.

“I believe that St. Catherine’s is at a disadvantage with a no-decision in that all other teams had played Ellerslie and garnered four points for a victory and I think that we should be given the same opportunity in putting the game back for two weeks so that we can play them. If we win we would be outright winners, rather than to wait and see if the second-place team gained the same amount of points as us and then it comes down to a net run rate,” Stuart explained.

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb