The Cup Match batting crease at Wellington Oval became a crime scene yesterday after club officials discovered the pitch had been intentionally damaged by vandals.

The incident is believed to have occurred sometime late on Sunday night when the covers were carefully removed, several gorges dug and then oiled poured into the disturbed clay.

When alerted early yesterday morning, St.George's Cricket Club president Neil Paynter summoned Police. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.

“I can't believe someone would actually come here and do something like this,” said a visibly upset Paynter.

“This is our premier sport and almost like a Bermuda Day, a celebration for all Bermudians and I can't understand why someone would want to do something like this.”

The pitch has since been barricaded with access now off-limits to everyone except security personnel who will patrol the entire grounds throughout the remainder of the week.

“Apparently someone came out here and hacked the ground with some sort of tool and then poured cooking grease in there,” added Paynter. “I was out there (pitch) between 8.30 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. watering the wicket down under the instructions of Sheridan Raynor and I left the club around 10.30 p.m. only to return this morning (yesterday) to find this.”

He added: “My first reaction was to get a hold of the groundsman (Raynor) and inform him about what had happened and then call the Police who are now investigating the incident.”

Luckily, most of the damaged sustained occurred on the crease adjacent to the one which will be used on Thursday and Friday.

“I was very relieved to hear that the incident won't affect the match. It may have affected some of our morale, but as far as the match itself is concerned . . . the show will go on,” added Paynter, who has endured more than his share of setbacks on the pitch over the past seven months.

Wellington Oval suffered extensive damage late last year following a motocross “extravaganza” at the east end field and has been unable to host any league or cup games so far this season.

Raynor, meanwhile, assured the sporting public that “everything will be fine.”

“It's just going to involve more time,” he said yesterday, while assessing the damage. “It's a good thing we still have enough time left for drying out purposes.”

Like others, Raynor was concerned when news of the incident first reached Southampton.

“All I thought about was the time involved getting it (pitch) ready for the match. They did enough damage, but we have loads of time on our side. All we need is two hot, sunny days. As long as the sun is shining and the weather holds, we won't have any problems.”

Meanwhile, Police will also reportedly be patrolling the grounds around the clock to ensure there is no repeat of Sunday's malicious act.

St.George's' coach Wendell Smith said yesterday he couldn't recall a Cup Match crease being damaged in similar circumstances at any time in the classic's history.

“I never thought I'd live to see the day a Cup Match wicket would become a crime scene,” he said.