CricInfo Home
News Home

NEWS FOCUS
Rsa in Pak
NZ in India
Zim in Aus

Domestic
Other Series

The Barbados Cricket Association may have shortlisted Windward, St. Philip, as the front-runner to become the second first-class venue in Barbados, but the Cable and Wireless BET ground is getting favourable mention.

The Wildey facility was preferred by engineers Glyne Barker and Andrew Hart on Radio 900’s Best And Mason on Tuesday night.

“BET has the greatest advantage in terms of its size, facility, the physical facility and the availability of parking. It’s next to the access road (ABC Highway), it is in close proximity to Bridgetown and therefore that stands out head and shoulders ahead of the other grounds,” said Barker.

In listing the positives, Barker, a civil engineer, said a temporary stand could be placed in the present car park, and mountable (moveable) stands could also be erected on the north-east, east and south-east.

BET is within walking distance from the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex with ample parking and has access to communication facilities of the Cable and Wireless BET offices.

The immediate problem was the drainage, but it could be fixed, he said.

Minor problem

“It is not a major problem, it just seems that the right solution is not forthcoming,” he said.

“I consider BET to be the best and most appropriate ground at which you can have cricket now where you don’t have to look for parking. The ground is fairly good and you can do a lot with the ground.”

The discussion centred around the suitability and readiness of the picturesque Windward ground at Lucas Street, St. Philip. It is reported to be under consideration by the BCA to host its inaugural first-class match on January 7 when Barbados face Guyana in the Busta Cup.

The grounds for the North Stars and Conrad Hunte Sports Club were also mentioned as contenders for long-term development, but discarded now for various reasons.

Concerns about parking and traffic control at Windward were also raised by the panellists.

Good field

While the field was good, large cracks occurred during the dry season, although this problem could be corrected by irrigation, said Hart, a former Barbados youth player who represents Wanderers in local cricket.

The pavilion is “nice”, but Barker had reservations about its ability to seat 4 000 to 5 000 people.

Engineers would also have to give careful consideration to seating, especially for the disabled and the line of sight apart from the effect of shadows on the ground as the day progresses.

Although agreeing with BET as a short-term measure, Hart, an aeronautical engineer, asked why an alternate ground was needed when Kensington Oval had the facilities.

He said it was his understanding that the main reason behind the search for an alternate venue was to qualify to host a zone in the Red Stripe Bowl.

“Two games have to be played simultaneously, so really that is the driver behind finding this alternative ground,” Hart said. He also thought that the West Indies hosting the World Cup in 2007 could be a secondary consideration.

“When you look at all these things that are required, the real question is does it make economic sense to move from Kensington and go to Windward and have a new cost for some of these items that one would need?” Barker asked.

In his opinion, first-class cricket was also not played enough to justify the investment.

“It is not a lot of use for a ground and if you are going to invest $5 million and something in the order of $10-15 million, you cannot afford between 30-35 days out of 365 days and expect to have a return,” he said.

© The Barbados Nation