THE Caribbean is set to have its latest Test cricket playing venue.
Windsor Park, located in Dominica’s capital city of Roseau, will become the 12th Test match ground during next year’s Digicel home series.
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) announced yesterday that the ground, which was completed in 2008, would stage the third and final Test between West Indies and Pakistan from July 6 to 10.
While Windsor Park will be having Test cricket for the first time, the ground hosted two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) earlier this year and a similar number in 2009.
Windsor Park is the latest in a list of new stadia around the Caribbean. The others – the Guyana National Stadium, the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua, and the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Jamaica were constucted ahead of the 2007 World Cup.
While Dominica will be delighted at the news, Windward Islands neighbours Grenada and St Vincent will be disappointed at not being awarded a single match in a packed 2011 season.
The West Indies will host Pakistan and reigning world Test champions India for a total of two Twenty20s, ten ODIs and five Tests.
It is believed that match management issues concerning the Grenada National Stadium and the Arnos Vale Sports Complex in Kingstown led to Grenada and St Vincent missing out.
Barbadians will get a chance to see both Pakistan and India.
Pakistan will play two ODIs on public holidays – Heroes Day (April 28) and May Day (May 1) during the visit to the Caribbean for a tour of two Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20 International from April 21 to May 24.
During the India visit, Kensington will host the second Test from June 28 to July 2. (HG)
Itinerary
WEST INDIES VS PAKISTAN
April 18: Pakistan v Vice-Chancellor’s XI – Beausejour Cricket Ground
April 21: Twenty20 International – Beausejour Cricket Ground
April 23: First ODI – Beausejour Cricket Ground
April 25: Second ODI – Beausejour Cricket Ground
April 28: Third ODI – Kensington Oval
May 1: Fourth ODI – Kensington Oval
May 5: Fifth ODI – Guyana National Stadium
May 8-9: Two-day practice match – Bourda
May 12-16: First Test – Guyana National Stadium
May 20- 24: Second Test – Warner Park
WEST INDIES VS INDIA
June 4: Twenty20 International – Queen’s Park Oval
June 6: First ODI – Queen’s Park Oval
June 8: Second ODI – Queen’s Park Oval
June 11: Third ODI –Vivian Richards Cricket Ground
June13: Fourth ODI –Vivian Richards Cricket Ground
June 16: Fifth ODI – Sabina Park
June 20-24: First Test – Sabina Park
June 28-July 2: Second Test – Kensington Oval
July 6-10: Third Test – Windsor Park
