International Cricket Council (ICC)/Cricket World Cup (CWC) Cricket Operations Director, Michael Hall, is of the view that the Providence Stadium compares favourably with any of the other venues that will be hosting CWC games beginning next month.
Addressing members of the media at a press conference on Tuesday at the Providence Stadium, Hall, when asked how the local stadium compares with the other eight regional venues stated:”Strictly speaking from the perspective of my own programme, it could be argued that Guyana is even ahead of some of the other venues, because we do have some minor issues at some of the practice facilities in two of the other host countries, nothing that is insurmountable, but from the point of view that Guyana has no difficulties, then you can say that you are ahead of some of the other venues.”
According to the Operations Director, there was nothing lacking for the players and match officials at the Providence facility. “Everything will be to their satisfaction, and indeed, the facilities here at the stadium and at the practice grounds are first class.”
Hall reminded the media that when the ICC’s Venue Assessment Team was in Guyana last November there were quite a few issues at the stadium, in particular as it related to the playing surface, the outfield and the pitch square, “but this time around we have no such issues.”
Hall, who inspected the pitch and outfield on Tuesday, said the outfield was firm, well grassed and the bowlers’ run up would pose no problem. He added that the pitch square had a nice, even covering of grass, appeared hard and looked as if it would be an excellent One Day International wicket. He informed the media that the inspection team also visited the two practice facilities – Everest and GCC – and there were no issues at either of them. “Both of them will be excellent practice pitches for the teams that are coming here for CWC next month,” he declared.
He said further that, “we really got a lot of confidence today (Tuesday) in speaking with Clyde Duncan and his team about their full understanding of what needs to be provided here at the stadium for teams and match officials.”
He noted that the spaces provided in the building at the Providence Stadium were excellent, and the furnishings were first class, but cautioned that there were a few minor things that needed to be done, and those he said included ensuring the sight screens were at the right height. “But we know that Clyde (Duncan) and his team are very much on top of it, and certainly from the point of view from the programme that I head, we have no problem here in Guyana. We think it’s going to be cricket, lovely cricket come March 27.”
With regard to the practice wickets at the stadium, Hall said those were in excellent shape, but the square had a few undulations that could be corrected with some cross rolling and this, he said, would be done. He also said the bowlers’ run up at the practice nets were firm, and there was no cause for concern. “I think the players will certainly enjoy the fact that there is a replica of the (match) pitch just behind the players’ pavilion for them to have a net. I think it’s going to be a fantastic venue for cricket.”
Also sharing the press conference with Hall was CWC’s Venue Development Director Don Lockerbie, who, when asked how Guyana compared with the other venues that would be hosting matches, stated: “The stadiums were supposed to be completed 100 percent according to legacy by December 31, 2006. Guyana has done what it needed to do to get the stadium up and running, and operable, now we are still going through the final tunings and touching up, and that is what makes Guyana one of the leaders in that respect.”
“What we’re lacking across the region is that ability to finish some of those things . . . I would expect that we could really say that Guyana finished putting all its furniture and furnishings in place we could run a CWC in the next few days and that’s good, but we wouldn’t have the success we’re looking for, we’re looking for that completed project.”
Reminded that in November last year there were some problems with security in terms of fencing and the Red Zone, he was asked if he was now satisfied with the progress made since.
Lockerbie said those works continued to be outstanding to the degree that they were not complete, “but our security team is not a part of this trip, they will be making their own and can speak for themselves.”
He said that the security team would be here to make sure all checklists and all security programmes were in place.
