Work in progress at Sabina Park

The history of Sabina Park might be littered with instances of great West Indian fast bowlers hammering hapless opposition, but when India play their opening two one-dayers next week, the only hammering might be from the Northern Stand. In scenes that are likely to be reminiscent of the Boxing Day Test of 2003, when Melbourne geared up for the Commonwealth Games, or even the Feroz Shah Kotla in 2004, when the ground was being renovated, fans at one end will be complemented by rubble at the other.

Only 9500 spectators will be accommodated into the ground as welders and masons continue their operations, with the only exception being the stoppage of cranes. The Jamaican and West Indies board have consented to playing with work in progress, but, in case the Indian players should have any problem, the authorities are ready to halt the proceedings completely. George Headley, West Indies' first great batsman, was called 'Atlas' for his ability to constantly lift the weak side of the '30s and it is fitting that the stand named in his honour will carry the bulk of the burden (7300 seats). Sabina Park's famous Mound Stand, known for the liberal flow of alcohol and so popular that it is now the Red Stripe Mound, has a new location, accommodating 600 spectators.

Jackie Hendricks, the former West Indies wicketkeeper and current president of the Jamaica Cricket Association, never tires of sending out pleas to the locals, players, media, asking everyone to "bear with us". It's all just a necessary evil as one prepares for the World Cup next year; all just a bad dream before the birth of a "magnificent stadium". Magnificent it may turn out to be, but one just hopes it's ready for the World Cup.

"We are a month or two behind schedule," said Wayne Reid, the chairman of the Jamaica Cricket 2007 World Cup Ltd. "The ground was refurbished last year itself, before West Indies played their Test against Pakistan, but the stands are taking longer than expected." The delay has been attributed to a cement shortage, land-acquisition problems and issues relating to the closure of Melbourne Road to the north of Sabina Park.

No such hassles with the building of the new stadium at Trelawny on the north coast. That magnificence, though, is being constructed by a Chinese company, who have imported 300 workers just for this purpose, and it's set to hold 25,000 spectators, 5000 more than the final version of Sabina Park.

Constructing the stadiums, though, will only be the first stage of the battle. A World Cup spread over several tiny islands can be a logistical nightmare, with plans needed to accommodate and transport the bandwagon. Reid, in charge of preparations in Jamaica, goes into a bit of detail: "We've already booked 1200 rooms for the media, players, sponsors and officials. Also, tourism is one of Jamaica's main industries and taking care of the fans will be our national obligation. All plans are in place. We understand that it isn't easy but we will be up for the task. Not to worry. You will enjoy a wonderful World Cup."

But the most vital question: will the Mound Stand return to its rightful place at Sabina Park? "Of course it will," Reid bubbled. "We realise that it's an integral part of watching cricket in this ground and will try everything to retain the atmosphere." Which roughly translated to - do what you want with the cement, just don't touch the bottles.