Cricket-News.Org

Managing Director & CEO of ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 Inc., Chris Dehring, has congratulated St. Kitts & Nevis on turning a long-cherished dream into “a reality” – and in the process, completing the first Host Venue stadium for next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup.

In correspondence to the twin-island Federation’s Minister of Sport, the Honourable Ricky Skerritt, and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Charles Wilkin – on the eve of the first-ever One-Day International to be held at Warner Park Cricket Stadium tomorrow – Dehring hailed the venue as “the newest jewel in the crown of regional cricketing stadia” and praised “the diligence and obvious commitment of all who have been associated with the extensive refurbishment of this sparkling facility”.

“It is a source of immense pride and joy to us all in the Caribbean and should act as inspiration for those working on stadia in other Host Venues,” he noted.

Referring to the recent meetings between ICC CWC WI 2007 Inc. and the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Barbados, Dehring said it was progress such as that made at the Basseterre ground which has impressed officials of cricket’s world-governing body who have been assessing preparations for the Event next March and April.

“Both the International Cricket Council (ICC) President Ehsan Mani and CEO Malcolm Speed applauded the professionalism and detailed attention with which we are approaching this momentous undertaking. The Warner Park success is no doubt one of the major reasons that our operations are being viewed quite positively at the highest levels of international cricket. I urge you to continue your preparations in this vein,” he said.

Warner Park, which was officially opened last Saturday, will host Australia, Scotland, South Africa and The Netherlands in the Group Stage of ICC CWC 2007. Before that though, the country will mark its elevation to that of an international cricket venue with the historic hosting of tomorrow’s One-Day fixture between the West Indies and India. It will then stage its maiden Test match, featuring the same teams, from June 22-26.

Dehring predicted that the construction of Warner Park would see St. Kitts & Nevis “vying for a share of the annual West Indies Home Series in the future” and welcoming the “cricketing world to another of the Caribbean’s wonders”.

Wishing the Federation well in hosting tomorrow’s match, he pointed out that amid the merriment it will be an invaluable opportunity “to test various elements of preparation for ICC CWC 2007”.

“I anticipate that the world-class efficiency and precision which attended the construction of the new facility will again be at the forefront of all match-day operations. We in the family of ICC CWC 2007 look forward to positive and glowing reports in that regard as we earnestly move towards the most significant event on which the countries of this region have ever collaborated,” he said.

Comments(0)

Worcestershire will play Glamorgan at New Road in the Liverpool Victoria County Championship, starting on Tuesday 23rd May.

Worcestershire return to New Road after snatching a thrilling victory over Surrey at the Brit Oval on Saturday, having been set 285 from 62 overs to win. At 95 for no wicket, rain struck and 30 overs were lost but the visitors were undeterred as they reached their target with one ball and two wickets in hand.

More rain arrived in time to spoil any chance of play in Sunday’s C&G match against Durham. As a result, Phil Jaques is yet to make an outing in front of a home crowd; something that is sure to grab the attention of WCCC supporters following a sterling debut performance.

The Worcestershire squad for the game will be:
Stephen Moore, Phil Jaques, Vikram Solanki, Ben Smith, Graeme Hick, Steven Davies, Gareth Batty, Roger Sillence, Kabir Ali, Ray Price, Zaheer Khan, Nadeem Malik.

Comments(0)