BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana are among seven nations selected to host matches in next year’s men’s Twenty20 World Cup.
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines complete the list of host venues of the June 4-30 tournament, a leg of which will be staged in the United States for the first time.
However, storied cricketing nation Jamaica is not among the venues, and neither is St Kitts and Nevis nor Grenada. Earlier this month, Jamaica’s Sports Minister Olivia Grange said the country was still considering a bid to host games but were also mulling over the “tremendous cost” associated. Sabina Park, located in Jamaica’s capital Kingston, is one of the oldest and most celebrated venues in the region. It also missed out when the region last hosted the T20 World Cup in 2010.
Twenty teams are expected to participate in next year’s showpiece and Cricket West Indies chief executive, Johnny Grave, said the region was confident about producing a “world class tournament.”
“This is an exciting moment as we announce the venues approved to host the largest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in history, with 20 teams playing in 55 matches in June next year,” Grave said in a statement.
“We are grateful to the host Governments of the Caribbean for their overwhelming responses and enthusiasm for hosting what will be the most significant sporting event held in our region for a generation.
“We are confident that together we will deliver a world-class tournament showcasing the best this region has to offer with our unique culture and carnival atmosphere that will ensure there is a real celebration of the sport next June.”
ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice said the venues selected were all “popular” with players and fans, and praised the collaboration with the host venue governments.
“We’re delighted to announce the seven Caribbean venues that will host the biggest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup ever staged, with 20 teams competing for the trophy,” said Allardice.
“They’re all popular venues with players and fans alike that will provide a wonderful backdrop to the event.
“This will be the third ICC senior men’s event hosted by the West Indies, and the matches will again give cricket fans the unique experience of enjoying cricket in the Caribbean.
“I’d like to thank Cricket West Indies and the seven host governments for their continued commitment and support of our sport.”
Earlier this week, the ICC announced Dallas, Florida and New York as the venues for the US leg of the tournament.
West Indies failed to qualify for last year’s edition of the tournament in Australia but will have an automatic place next year by virtue of being hosts.