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| March 14, 2007 | Wednesday | Safar 24, 1428 |
State of readiness of group venues
Bridgetown, March 13: Fact box on the four stadiums staging the World Cup group matches (March 13-25) and their state of readiness:
JAMAICA
Stadium: Sabina Park,
Kingston.
Capacity: 21,000.
Matches: Group D and first semi-final.
Still to be done: The ground's renovations have largely been finished in the nick of time but the net pitches were still not up to scratch on the eve of the World Cup opener there forcing Pakistan and West Indies to practise elsewhere.
Major upgrade to venue which hosted first Test in 1930 and first One-day International in 1984.
Sabina Park, the home of the Kingston Cricket Club, is situated in the driest part of Kingston and for many years the pitch was one of the hardest and fastest in the Caribbean. But in recent years the surface slowed, despite attempts to restore life by relaying it on more than one occasion.
Like other major grounds in the region it underwent a major renovation ahead of the World Cup, a process that was fraught with headaches and delays. The capacity was raised from 15,000 to 20,000, still 5,000 less than the Trelawny Stadium down the coast.
ST KITTS
Stadium: Warner Park,
Basseterre.
Capacity: 10,000.
Matches: Group A.
Still to be done: Everything will be ready for Wednesday's first match. Scaffolding still on one temporary stand on Sunday and advertising hoardings were being set up during the opening ceremony.
The ground was donated to the people of St Kitts and Nevis by a plantation family and named after Sir Thomas Warner, founder of the first English settlement in the Caribbean.
Cricket was first played at the ground in 1928 but it has been completely renovated for the World Cup. Work was completed in May, 2006, and the stadium hosted its first One-day International in the same month. It is situated in the centre of the capital Basseterre.
TRINIDAD
Stadium: Queen’s Park Oval, Port-of-Spain.
Capacity: 25,000.
Matches: Group B (five matches), Group A (one match)
Still to be done: Paintwork on various overlayed cosmetic features, minor masonry, final details in hospitality suites.
Along with the Savannah, the Oval is Port-of-Spain's cultural calling card. The ground has been the home of the Queens Park Cricket Club since 1896, which is also the year the club built its pavilion.
Unlike most major grounds in the Caribbean, the Oval usually turns a profit because of the fact that it has the largest spectator capacity of any ground in the region. Its location in the heart of a bustling city could lead to problems with traffic during the World Cup.
ST LUCIA
Stadium: Beausejour Cricket Ground, Gros Islet.
Capacity: 20,000 in all with temporary stands adding to the existing 12,000 seats.
Matches: Group C and second semi-final.
Still to be done: Stadium and temporary stands ready, a few finishing touches being applied along with gravel on external car park.
Completed in 2002, the stadium is purpose-built and is situated away from the town to allow for ample parking and future extensions. One narrow lane leads down to the ground however, and could cause traffic problems.—Reuters
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