This decision came after the second day of the International Cricket Council’s chief executives’ committee meeting yesterday.

The chief executives reconfirmed that the aborted second Test at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua was the responsibility of the West Indies Cricket Board.

Only 10 balls were possible in the match which was abandoned because of an excessively sandy outfield.

“The responsibility for ensuring the delivery of a venue fit for the purpose of international cricket rests with the host member board,” an ICC news release said.

The chief executives agreed that the notification of grounds to be used would be accompanied by a written declaration signed by the member board that those grounds it nominated complied with the standards expected of an international venue. 

“Those standards have previously been circulated to Members in a document entitled, ‘International Venue Requirements’,” the ICC news released added.

In relation to the condition of the VRCG outfield, the ICC again stated that it would be subject to the governing body’s pitch and outfield monitoring process which is ongoing.

The process was introduced three years ago to ensure international cricket is played in conditions of a suitably high standard.

The first stage of the process was for ICC Match Referee Alan Hurst to submit a report to the World body concerning the quality of the playing surface.

After he did so, the ICC wrote to the WICB, forwarding that report and asking for a written report of its own on the condition of the surface including any extenuating circumstances which may have existed.

Once the WICB’s report is submitted then the ICC’s General Manager – Cricket David Richardson and the ICC’s Chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle will consider all the evidence, including studying video footage, before passing judgment.

The ICC has the power to impose a sanction ranging from a warning or a fine up to a suspension of international status for the venue.