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Antigua
Should the Sir Viv Richards Stadium be banned?
By Will last year, mid-February, 4 Comments »
The new poll is up at the site. Go and vote (it’s on the right-hand-side).
There was a brief but startling line from Donald Peters, the CEO of the West Indies board, which appeared on a TMS blog earlier today. I was amazed no other news outlet bothered with it, because it seemed rather important, so I ran with it.
Donald Peters, the chief executive of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), has said that his board are not prepared to “take the risk” of ever playing at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium again, 24 hours after the second Test between West Indies and England was abandoned due to a sandy outfield.
The match only lasted 10 balls, as both Jerome Taylor and Fidel Edwards struggled to gain traction on a bedding made largely of soft sand, and it was soon consigned to history after the match referee, Alan Hurst, deemed it too dangerous for play.
“I would recommend they play soccer there from now on,” Peters told BBC’s Test Match Special. “The amount of funding it would take to make that into a Test venue again will be significant. I would advise the government and local cricket association to put their resources into restoring the Recreation Ground. The West Indies Cricket Board will not go back to the Viv Richards Stadium. We are not prepared to take the risk.”
The decision hasn’t yet been made whether or not the ICC will ban the ground. It will cost oodles of dosh to re-invent the old Rec, too – but that, surely, is the more sensible option. I am so geared up for this third Test now it’s being staged at the famous old ground, and we hear a good local crowd will be there too. Hopefully. Which makes a change from the disgrace of North Sound.
4 Comments »Bouncebackability
By Mark Tilley last year, mid-February, 1 Comment »
It was football manager Iain Dowie who first coined this term, way back when his Crystal Palace side were struggling in the English Premier League. The phrase refers to a teams ability to bounce back from a defeat or any kind of adversity. Well, this England cricket side have suffered said adversity and then some. How do they respond to the humiliation of last week’s 51 all out?
The expected change has come. Owais Shah replaces Ian Bell at number three in the order and Steve Harmison has also been left out, in favour of James Anderson. Will it make the difference that England need? Shah’s inclusion has been long championed by England fans and pundits alike. It is perhaps a tad harsh on Harmison who didn’t bowl terribly badly in Jamaica but perhaps the feeling was that a change was needed.
The outfield is a concern in Antigua. Heavy rainfall has left area’s of the ground covered in sand and the bowlers run up, in particular, is an point of worry. However, England shouldn’t use the conditions as an excuse. They have a lot of making up to do and they had better start it soon. Alistair Cook could do with a big score to settle the doubters about him and if Kevin Pietersen should find himself in the late 90’s again, surely he will be looking for singles this time.
All in all, it looks like a fascinating Test. A nerve-wracking one too, if you’re an England follower.
1 Comment »Australia v West Indies, Super Eights, Antigua
By Will 3 years ago, at the end of March, 18 Comments »
The first of the Super Eights, between Australia and the West Indies. Down with the Aussies; up with the Windies! Scorecard. Get chatting.
18 Comments »Where shall I go on holiday?
By Will 4 years ago, at the end of August, 15 Comments »
NB: nothing to do with cricket…
I’ve got a couple of weeks off in October so I need to start planning for a holiday. Where should I go? Italy is high up on the list, as usual, but so is New York (Ryan, reply to your emails dammit), Antigua, Scotland and others. Tight budget, not into five-star hotels – although, of course, if you happen to be working at British Airways or another airline and wish to bump me up to First Class, do get in touch. Suggestions, please! (maybe I’ll run a poll…or not)
15 Comments »Bermuda cricket photo – Stanford 20/20
By Will 4 years ago, at the end of July, 2 Comments »
A terrific photo from Flickr user antiguan of a recent Stanford 20/20 between Jamaica and Bermuda
West Indies v India, 1st Test, Antigua, 4th day
By Will 4 years ago, at the start of June, 1 Comment »
Posted in advance – West Indies v India, 1st Test, Antigua, 4th day.
Chat away!
1 Comment »West Indies v India, 1st Test, Antigua, 3rd day
By Will 4 years ago, at the start of June, No Comments; be the first!
Posted in advance – West Indies v India, 1st Test, Antigua, 3rd day.
Chat away!
No Comments »West Indies v India, 1st Test, Antigua, 2nd day
By Will 4 years ago, at the start of June, No Comments; be the first!
Posted in advance – West Indies v India, 1st Test, Antigua, 2nd day.
Chat away!
No Comments »West Indies v India, 1st Test, Antigua, 1st day
By Will 4 years ago, at the start of June, No Comments; be the first!
Posted in advance – West Indies v India, 1st Test, Antigua, 1st day.
Chat away!
No Comments »