The facility, which is located on the 40-acre beach front property of Club Antigua Resort took two years to develop at a cost of EC $200 000.

Sales and marketing manager of the Clubs International group Nova Alexander said yesterday, ``The Caribbean Cricket Centre is the best and only one of its type in the Caribbean. It is the official practice facility of the West Indies cricket team.''

``We aim to develop cricket in the Caribbean and provide quality facilities for use of all aspiring cricketers representing first class teams, clubs and schools.''

In its short existence, the centre has welcomed the English cricket team during the 1998 tour, the Sri Lankans and Indians. The Australians are expected in 1999.

The centre boasts of a complete practice facility with six grass nets, two pitches, physiotherapy room and bathroom facilities.

Some of the world's renown cricketers have been singing its praises.

Second to none

West Indies coach Malcolm Marshall said, ``The facilities at Club Antigua are second to none ... the pace and bounce is the best I have seen in the Caribbean.''''I would recommend this cricket centre to any national, county or club team,'' said Alec Stewart, recently appointed captain of the English team.

The cricket centre is also offering opportunities for development of regional cricketers.

``We are participating in the development and grooming of West Indies cricketers by offering one scholarship per annum to each participating country.''

The course, which will run for three or four weeks in the June or July next year; will be all expenses paid and offer coaching, training and education in cricket.

A top class team led by head coach Mark Harper, the former Guyana batsman, Reggie Scarlett - the West Indies director of coaching, and former Test captains Viv Richards, Richie Richardson.

This means that the foundation has been laid for aspiring cricketers to get the right grounding in the basics of the region's most popular sport.