World Cup Action Goes to Stubbs

Stubbs is a small rural village about ten miles north east of Capital City Kingstown. It is typically Vincentian: laid back with a mixture of modern and ancient trends. {{more}}

The Stubbs Playing Field, carved out metres from the Atlantic coastline, fits snugly beneath undulating hillsides. Decorating that landscape is a variety of residences in between patches of greenery reflecting the luscious tropical setting.

That village will be a focus of attention March 2007. It will be one of two practice venues for the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Cricket World Cup 2007.

Last Friday, Cricket World Cup Event Director responsible for cricket operation Lennox John, along with Cricket Operations Officer Ian Allen, in charge of pitches and fields, and Groundsman Lenford Goodluck updated the media on the progress of refurbishment at Stubbs.

Two additional pitches are being put in there to bring the number to four, as required by international standards. The outfield will be re-grassed and improvements made to the pavilion.

John is looking for first class conditions at Stubbs. He wants everything to be in place because as he pointed out, St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be the “front door” to the Caribbean for World Cup 2007.

John outlined the need for “first class” facilities because we will be putting on a “World Class show.”

He pointed out that residents and sports lovers will suffer inconveniences during the upgrading, and asked for cooperation from the public.

The other practice venue, Sion Hill Playing Field, forms part of the $30m earmarked for the 2007 World Cup venture.

The money includes refurbishment to the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be one of four venues for Warm Up matches.

England plays Bermuda March 5, Australia takes on Zimbabwe Tuesday March 6, Zimbabwe and Bermuda clash March 8, and Australia and England meet Friday March 9.

The West Indies is in Group D with Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland.

They have Warm Up matches at Trelawny in Jamaica, against Kenya March 5, and India March 9.

Other Warm Up matches will be Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados.

The competition begins in Jamaica Tuesday March 13 when West Indies plays Pakistan.

Sixteen teams in four groups will vie for advances up to March 25. Super Eight Games will be in Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Guyana and Barbados.

Semifinal matches are scheduled for Jamaica Tuesday April 24 and St. Lucia Wednesday April 25.

The final will be at Kensington Oval, Barbados Saturday April 28, 2007.