The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) are pleased to announce that this year's match between the University of the West Indies' Vice-Chancellor's XI and the South African cricket team will take place in Montserrat.

This match, which has been a feature of tours by visiting cricket teams to the Caribbean in the past, will be played on April 12 at Salem Park on this island which has been grappling with redevelopment after being damaged by volcanic activity in recent years. Retired West Indies fast bowler, Curtly Ambrose, will be the honouree on the Vice-Chancellor's XI.

Confirmation of the venue for this game followed consultations between the WICB, the UWI and officials of the Montserrat Cricket Association. This included an inspection of the playing facilities and hotel accommodation on Montserrat by WICB and South African team officials earlier this week. A match between the UWI and Montserrat will be played the day before (April 11) the Vice-Chancellor-South Africa game.

"It is a great step for Montserrat to be able to host this match and we expect it to generate keen interest, not only among residents there, but also among persons from neighbouring islands. We anticipate that a number of visitors will want to go across to the island for this game and we are confident that Montserrat is capable of making this a success," said the WICB's Chief Executive Officer, Gregory >Shillingford.

He noted that the match was "an effort to attract international attention to the redevelopment of Montserrat and will include the efforts of international agencies which are working for renewed hope and life in Montserrat".

"Salem Park, nestled in the foothills of the Soufriere Volcano, will present an exciting view for visitors and participants who go to Montserrat for this effort," added Shillingford.

He said that Montserrat, which is part of the Leeward Islands Cricket Association, is among the 13 territories under the WICB's aegis and that the Board intends to ensure that this island is, as far as possible, considered as a match venue for regional cricket. This match, he said, was a first step and would give some indication of the future possibility of having regional cricket in Montserrat.

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