SVGCA executive faces first test

Installed in May of this year, the Kishore Shallow led executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association (SVGCA) faces its major first test, making its debut at administrating two international fixtures.{{more}}

St Vincent and the Grenadines will host the first test between the West Indies and Bangladesh at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, September 5 to 9, as well as three T/20 matches between the West Indies and New Zealand women, September 23, 25 and 27.

The new executive’s taste of regional administration came in June/July when they oversaw the Windwards Under-19 tournament.

In a release from the SVGCA, president Shallow noted: “An international fixture brings great benefits to the country, particularly in the area of marketing, and we must do everything within our power to maximise this event.”

Shallow said that his organisation had completed talks with the stakeholders who would be involved in preparations for the hosting of the test match.

“Our arrangements are going smoothly, and the cooperation from stakeholders has been exceptional so far,” Shallow said.

The local cricket head confirmed that a public awareness and marketing plan will be disclosed this week, which has as its objective “to create more awareness in the country for the event.”

Shallow added that plans are in train to have a number of secondary schoolchildren, mainly those interested in cricket, attend the first, fourth and fifth days of the test match.

This will be the Arnos Vale venue’s third hosting of a test match.

The first ever test match was hosted at Arnos Vale from June 20 to 24, 1997, when Sri Lanka visited the region.

The West Indies record at the venue shows the Sri Lanka encounter ending in a draw, but with Brian Lara writing his name in the history books. The left- handed Lara scored 115 in the West Indies’ second innings, to be the first player to score a test century on Vincentian soil.

Bangladesh was involved in St Vincent and the Grenadines’ second staging of a test match, July 9 to 13, 2009. But it was held under controversial circumstances, as a pull-out of players because of a dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) saw the West Indies fielding seven debutants.

The Bangladeshis went on to record a 95-run win over the West Indies.

It was also a history making moment for Bangladesh, as it was their first test against the West Indies. (RT)