The folly of the ICC's ways

Writing in the Times , Pat Gibson pretty much sums up what we all suspected about the reasons the unloved Sir Vivian Richards Stadium was ever built

Martin Williamson

25-Feb-2013

Writing in the Times, Pat Gibson pretty much sums up what we all suspected about the reasons the unloved Sir Vivian Richards Stadium was ever built. And he is in no doubt where the blame lies – with the ICC, who imposed unworkable conditions in return for the Caribbean hosting the World Cup.

So millions were spent on a new stadium miles out of town that was never going to replace the ARG in the public’s affection any more than the new Trelawny and Providence stadiums in Jamaica and Guyana, which were also built for the World Cup, are going to supplant Sabina Park and Bourda.

Now we are seeing the stupidity of it all. Inside two days, the ARG groundstaff produced a pitch and outfield that mock the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, workmen cleaned up the dilapidated stands and the television company worked wonders in transferring its equipment to beam the evidence around the world.

West Indies

Martin Williamson is executive editor of ESPNcricinfo and managing editor of ESPN Digital Media in Europe, the Middle East and Africa