Fears that the pitch at St. George's Cricket Club has been so damaged it will not be ready in time for this year's Cup Match classic have still to be dispelled.

Wellington Oval was closed indefinitely on January 2 after St. George's officials said the field was still unfit to play on after the Bermuda Motocross Open, held last November.

The event saw more than 500 truckloads of dirt and rubble and five buses arranged on the field for motocross riders to jump over.

The Royal Gazette understands the buses and rubble were supposed to be removed from the field the Monday after the motocross event.

However the buses were not removed until last Saturday and the 500 truck loads of rubble still remain.

"I don't want to comment on that, not unless it's something positive," said St. George's Cricket Club president Neil Paynter yesterday.

Mr. Paynter has refused to shed much light on the circumstances, however The Royal Gazette was made to understand work at the ground was forced to a halt because of a row over pay involving motorcross promoters Bluegrass Management and overseas track builders Global Sports Promotions.

St. George's Cricket Club is now stuck in the mud with all matches originally scheduled for Wellington Oval now being switched to neighbouring Lord's.

Attempts to reach Mike Jones and David Green of Bluegrass Management were unsuccessful last night.

It is thought the pay dispute may have arisen as long ago as June, shortly after the Monster Truck show in St. George's.

That event was seen as a resounding success. However November's motocross extravaganza was not, as heavy rain kept the anticipated large crowds away.

"It takes two days to erect the track and one day to dismantle it," said Mr. Paynter in a November 21 interview with The Royal Gazette, adding that organisers assured the club only minimum damage would be caused to the surface of the pitch.