'Mas' in Grenada (14 April 1999)

14 April 1999

'Mas' in Grenada

Garth Wattley in Grenada

They packed the Tanteen Recreation Ground to see the old masters play yesterday. But an audience three-times that size will descend on Grenada's south-western coast today, to see the current West Indies stars make a fresh start at the New Queen's Park.

Daren Ganga's boundary-filled 95 and Carlisle Best's all-round match-winning effort for the UWI vice-chancellor's XI, would have been forgotten by the time some 14,000 expectant patrons flock in through the gates when they open at 6 a.m. this morning. They will come to witness and be part of regional cricket history when the West Indies and Australia meet in the Second Cable and Wireless One-day International. But they better come with tickets.

"Even the grounds are sold out," proudly declared West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Pat Rousseau yesterday.

"It is the first time to my knowledge in the recent history of West Indies cricket that a ground has been sold out in its entirety before the start of a game."

This is not the first time Grenada has hosted a One-day International, the 1983 match between the West Indies and India preceding it. But so great is the interest in the debut of the brand new Queen's Park, that not even the absence of local hero Junior Murray has significantly dampened the public's enthusiasm.

But it will not exactly be Queen's Park at her spanking new, state-of-the-art best that those watching in the flesh or viewing on local TV will see. The pounding of hammers and the constant droning of machines betrayed 11th hour work of all kinds feverishly taking place around the ground.

The outfield itself is not billiard-table smooth or Wembley lush. But, according to Rousseau, it will do.

"Considering when they really got into high speed (in November 1998) I think they have done a superb job. And more importantly, even in its present condition it is the best cricket facility in the West Indies." The two teams, forced to practise at different venues yesterday, Queen's Park not being available, will get their very first look at it today in a match of equal importance to both sides. For Brian Lara's unit, the aim is to keep the momentum going after their well-earned win in St Vincent.

A disciplined and spirited fielding effort saw them successfully defend a shaky-looking 209.

But while captain Lara has lamented the "disaster" of the middle order slide in that first game, he would have been heartened by the effective batting of ODI underdogs, opener Sherwin Campbell and middle order batsman Jimmy Adams.

And today, on paper at least, the Windies should once again have the services of allrounder Carl Hooper.

Hooper, who made an unspectacular return to the team for the final two Test matches, missed the first ODI through the flu'.

But at practice yesterday, "Hoops" seemed fully recovered, if a little rusty. Stuart Williams, out for a duck on Sunday, still looks patch but will get another run today.

But off-spinner Nehemiah Perry, belatedly included in St Vincent, should make way for him. Courtney Walsh also seems set to be rested with pace partner Curtly Ambrose replacing him, while Reon King should come in for Mervyn Dillon.

For Steve Waugh and his Australians, the attempt today, will be to put to rest what has become a nagging concern on this tour.

The Aussie batting has frequently been found wanting. And it was again at Arnos Vale when no batsman managed 40 in the run chase.

Waugh will be much more pleased with his bowlers who, despite their 30 extras, generally tested the West Indies batsmen on a helpful pitch. That display may not prompt the return of spearhead Glenn McGrath. And the medium pace pair of Adam Dale and Andy Bichel will not be seen at all in this series.

Dale, who has been suffering with a chest ailment, and Bichel, who stayed on in St Vincent as stand-by, are both returning home, leaving the Australian squad at 14.

Whatever the final bowling combination, the Australians are unlikely to find a Queen's Park pitch with as much moisture in it as its cousin at the Arnos Vale Playing Field. Head groundsman Mike Smith promises a pitch full of runs.

"We have made sure that it does not have too much moisture in it. Our emphasis is on giving the batsmen the edge," he said.

If Smith's words do become reality, the likes of Ricky Ponting and Michael Bevan could give the crowd a treat.

And Lara will have the perfect stage to produce one of those big occasion spectacles he relishes.

The Caribbean's new "Queen" deserves no less.

Likely West Indies: Brian Lara (Capt), Sherwin Campbell, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Jimmy Adams, Stuart Williams, Phil Simmons, Keith Arthurton, Carl Hooper, Hendy Bryan, Reon King, Curtly Ambrose.

Australia from: Steve Waugh (Capt), Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Michael Bevan, Shane Lee, Brendon Julian, Shane Warne, Paul Reiffel, Damien Fleming, Tom Moody, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath.

Source :: The Trinidad Express (https://www.trinidad.net/express/)