ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – ICC Elite Panel umpire Billy Doctrove has urged Dominicans to turn out in large numbers for the two historic One-Day Internationals between West Indies and Bangladesh at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium here next month.
The fixtures, carded for July 26 and 28, represent the first time international cricket will be played in the small Caribbean nation and Doctrove said overwhelming spectator support would augur well for the country’s hosting of other international matches.
“I would like to take this opportunity to make an appeal to the Dominican public to support the Dominica Cricket Association and the West Indies Cricket Board by purchasing tickets to watch the two One-Day Internationals,” said Doctrove, who will be officiating in both matches.
“This is history in the making and we need to support the matches if we want to host other matches in the future.
We have an impressive and outstanding sporting stadium and we need Dominicans to play their part in ensuring that the Windsor Park is filled to capacity and remain in the forefront for hosting these types of matches.”
Doctrove, who has stood in 23 Tests and 83 ODIs, said he was looking forward to officiating in these two matches on home soil.
“I will be the on field umpire in both of these matches and that is something that I have always looked forward to, that is, officiating an international match in front of my home crowd. So come on, let’s enjoy the moment,” he urged.
Windsor Park was built at a cost of EC$33 million (US$17 million) as a gift to the country from the People’s Republic of China. Completed in 2007, the complex boasts a capacity of nearly 12 000 seats.
Dominican Doctrove contended that the entire nation had a role to play in ensuring the development of cricket in the island.
“We need to enjoy the moment and enjoy the spectacle,” he stressed.
“Let us all play our part in the further and continued development of West Indies cricket.”