Play held up after players slam Trinidad pitch

ST AUGUSTINE, Trinidad, Mar 9 (Reuters) Play at a World Cup warm-up match between South Africa and Pakistan was held up for seven minutes today after the players slammed the state of the pitch.

The South Africans, put into bat at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground, were unhappy with the way the ball was bouncing off the ground and halted proceedings to highlight the problems.

''(Captain) Graeme Smith and (coach) Mickey Arthur are both of the opinion that the pitch is unfit to play.'' Cricket South Africa liaison officer Gordon Templeton told reporters.

Arthur and his Pakistan counterpart Bob Woolmer came on to the field to discuss the pitch with the umpires Peter Parker and Ian Gould.

''Players weren't happy with the pitch because some balls were flying off... but the umpires are satisfied that the game can go ahead,'' International Cricket Council official Dhiraj Malhotra told reporters.

Ed Walsh, Rushmans media manager at the ground added: ''The issue is the safety of the players. Some balls are coming through low, while some balls are coming through high.

''Both teams have accepted the conditions. If this gets worse, umpires will make a decision.'' REUTERS PDM KP2232