Roseau, Dominica: International Cricket Council Elite Panel umpire, Billy Doctrove, says the Digicel Cricket Clinics are an important cog in the wheel of cricket development in the West Indies.
“The Digicel Cricket Clinics are a very important venture and it can be a stepping stone in the formulation of an academy in our region,” Doctrove said recently in his native Dominica prior to departing for international duties in Sri Lanka.
“Our youngsters stand to benefit a great deal from these Clinics and I’d like to congratulate Digicel for this venture and for bringing the players (Ramnaresh Sarwan and Denesh Ramdin) to our shores to pass on their knowledge and improve our players,” said the 54 year old Doctrove.
“In Dominica, we welcome all aspects of cricket and the game stands to benefit a great deal from the Digicel Cricket Clinics,” said Doctrove, who has stood in 85 One Day Internationals and 25 Test matches.
Former West Indies batsman, Keith Arthurton, is the Head Coach of the Digicel Cricket Clinics and he is being assisted by former West Indies fast bowler, Kenny Benjamin, along with Chris Gayle, Sarwan, Ramdin and Jerome Taylor.
The Digicel Cricket Clinics have had successful stints in the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Dominica and the Cayman Islands – and now move to Barbados on Sunday, September 6, before concluding in Turks and Caicos.
Doctrove recently stood in two Digicel ODIs in front his home crowd at the Windsor Park Stadium, where international cricket was played for the first time in the recently concluded Digicel Series.
Doctrove said that the experience was a very emotional one.
“When I walked out onto the field it was a very emotional time for me. I was really looking forward to the opportunity to stand in a game in front of my people. They have been very supportive of me over the years and I want to pay back for the support they have shown me,”
He also said that the experience of umpiring in the international matches on home soil was among the highlights of his career.