Fears mount over state of Guyana stadium

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Mar 27 (Reuters) Concerns about the playing conditions in Providence Stadium mounted today after South Africa abandoned their nets session, complaining the surface was not up to standard.

The venue is scheduled to host six Super Eights matches, starting with South Africa v Sri Lanka tomorrow, but fears are growing that the stadium may not be ready in time.

''It's very frustrating not to be able to train properly for two days in a row but we're not going to let that get us down,'' South African coach Mickey Arthur told reporters.

''I'll take these worries on to my shoulders and sort them out and leave the players to concentrate on the game.'' South African captain Graeme Smith was seen shaking his head as he walked away from nets having faced only a handful of throwdowns.

His team opted for a fielding session instead.

A short while later, team manager Goolam Rajah was seen in animated conversation with Andy Atkinson, the International Cricket Council pitch consultant for the tournament.

Persistent rain yesterday and today did not help matters and visitors to the ground have had to wade through a muddy parking lot while ground staff mopped up standing water in corridors inside some of the buildings.

Reuters PDS DB2230