A broken water pump is the reason for the dry, brown-looking outfield which has greeted cricketers, officials and spectators for Jamaica Franchise’s last two home games at Sabina Park.

While the pitch has played beautifully to allow the desired balance in the battle between bat and ball, the field is a far cry from the lush-green surface that Sabina is renowned for.

Michael Hylton, the curator at the ground, told the Jamaica Observer that the device that pumps water from the Sabina Park well was non-operational from early January and had to be replaced last week.

“The pump was not working, so we had not been able to water the field like we used to,” he said.

“We got a replacement and we are going to start watering the field as soon as we get the green light (from the workmen who installed it)”.

Hylton said the delay with using the new pump was due to “other work needing to be completed”.

The curator, who noted that when there is little or no rainfall the field is normally watered almost on a daily basis, said he expects the field to continue looking dry until constant watering brings back the former lushness.

The staff at Sabina Park are eyeing the upcoming tour of Australia in the West Indies. The Australians are slated to play the second of the two-Test series in Kingston from June 13-17.

The Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) chief executive officer Courtney Francis said negotiations have begun to host Jamaica Franchise’s home against Barbados Pride from March 20-23 at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium. That change in venue, Francis said, will allow Sabina Park to be restored to tip-top condition for the Australia series.

The replacement pump installed at Sabina Park is said to value over $1 million.

— Sanjay Myers