St. Vincent and the Grenadines gets marked down

St. Vincent and the Grenadines may find it difficult to host future Cricket matches put on by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), after several areas of dissatisfaction were cited following the hosting of the historic three One Day Internationals involving the West Indies and Zimbabwe on March 10, 12 and 14, of this year.{{more}}

Reports are that hotels were deemed not up to the standard required for international teams. It was also reported that one team complained about the limited access to the Internet.

Additionally, another complained that the rooms were too small and not up to their standard.

As it relates to the Arnos Vale Playing Field, the venue for the matches, there were mixed reviews.

The pitches were reported to have too much moisture in one case, too dry in another, and perfect in one.

Security at the Arnos Vale venue was said to be lax, as on the first day of the matches, persons were at the venue at least three hours before the start of play.

It was also seen as a breach of security when a media practitioner, who was not accredited, was able to access the Closing Ceremony at the end of the series.

Similarly, a journalist got access to the umpires’ changing room, seeking an interview with umpire Simon Taufel at the conclusion of the second match.

Other reports of the malfunctioning of the air conditioning unit in the Third Umpire’s room also gave this country a bad mark.

And, the absence of an electronic scoreboard, which is a requirement for a One Day International, did not help the cause of this country’s bid of remaining as a fixture on international touring teams’ itinerary.

Reports further state that this country may not be looked upon favourably next year, when India and Pakistan head this way for six Test matches and ten ODI’s in April and May.

The fact that Dominica’s Windsor Park is now a test venue adds woes to St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ chances.

Following the first staging of a One Day International in 1981, the Arnos Vale venue has seen nineteen more.

It has been a happy hunting ground for the West Indies, as they have triumphed in seventeen, including thirteen consecutive wins from 1994 to 2004.

The ground has hosted two Tests matches in 1997 and 2009, as the West Indies faced Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, respectively.