West Indies Domestic: Covers For Div. 1 Pitches By Next Season

The covering of pitches, for so long a contentious subject in local cricket, could finally be introduced to the island's premier domestic competition from as early as next season.

The revelation came from Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) first vice-president Stephen Alleyne during the feature address of the annual CBC/Steve's Dry Cleaning Player-Of-The-Year Awards ceremony on Thursday night.

The topic, he said, featured prominently in discussions the BCA held with clubs and officials prior to the start of this year's local season.

"You will be unsurprised to know that covering of pitches was a much talked on subject," Alleyne told the audience at the Sherbourne Conference Centre.

"I suspect most cricketers in Barbados are evenly divided, but I think it is fair to say the board has accepted it. It must come. We must try it."

"If this is the wish of those playing cricket in Barbados, a way must be found and I think this is something that we have to see in Division 1 certainly by next season."

Funding for covers had always been identified as a major hindrance, but Alleyne said clubs had suggested that prize money could be forgone for one year to finance the provision of covers.

Covering of pitches was just one of many recommendations which came from either the BCA's board of management or from consultations with clubs and officials.

As the BCA seeks to restructure the domestic competition for the 2001 season, Alleyne is also welcoming input from anyone who wants to make a contribution.

"I don't think anybody has the right to feel that he or she knows it all; that other opinions or views do not matter," he said. "The board will review all (views) and will make its decisions and discuss these with the clubs well before next season."

There was also a feeling that pitch or ground inspectors could be put in place with a view to ensuring that pitches were of acceptable standards.