South African coach Mickey Arthur said his Cricket World Cup squad had been neither shaken nor stirred by the drama over a gas leak at the team’s hotel in Port of Spain on Wednesday.
The Trinidad Hilton was evacuated at 8.15am after guests and staff were overcome with fumes that were later traced to a gas leak on the eighth floor of the 12-storey building.
Fourteen were taken to hospital but none were members of the South African, Pakistan, Canadian or Irish parties staying at the hotel, police said.
”It’s a bit of storm in a teacup and we just want to get out there and play some cricket,” Arthur told reporters after South Africa’s net practice later on Wednesday.
”I’m not nervous about going back there, and I think the boys will just be only too happy to get back to the hotel and get their heads on their pillows after the session we’ve had today [Wednesday].”
The South Africans left the hotel shortly after the evacuation and returned about five hours later once the all-clear had been issued by emergency personnel.
‘Tear gas’
Arthur, whose room is on the eighth floor, was the only South African who felt the effects of the leak.
”I certainly had some tears when I walked out of my room this morning, so it could have been tear gas,” Arthur said.
The Canadian and Irish squads, who are also based at the hotel, left the premises too.
The Pakistan squad stayed in their team room, which is attached to the hotel but is not in the main building.
South Africa were less than impressive in their 35-run win over Ireland in their first warm-up match in St Augustine, Trinidad, on Monday.
They face Pakistan at the same venue on Friday in their final preparation before they begin the group stage of the tournament.
South Africa face Australia, Scotland and The Netherlands in Group A. Their first match is against the Dutch on March 16 on St Kitts.
”We’re champing at the bit for the World Cup proper to start now,” Arthur said. ”It feels as if we’ve been here forever and nothing has really happened.
”I guess, come Sunday at the opening ceremony, it will dawn on us that we are playing in the World Cup.”
Arthur said all-rounder Justin Kemp, who missed Monday’s match after being struck on the left big toe while batting in the nets, would be fit to play on Friday. — Reuters