by MIKE KING mikeking@nationnews. com IF YOU DON’T HAVE a ticket or pass, don’t even bother trying to get into Kensington Oval this morning for today’s opening One-Day International between the West Indies and England.
Director of cricket of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA), Steven Leslie, told the MIDWEEK NATION yesterday he was delighted with the response, with more than 20 000 tickets already bought for today and Friday’s matches – 10 300 in the first instance and 9 750 for the second One-Dayer.
“We are doing extremely well with the sale of tickets and seating for Kensington Oval is now at 98 per cent. This is for both Wednesday and Friday, so the crowds will be bumper.
“Our team has really inspired a lot of Caribbean people to come out and see them play, so we are definitely pleased with how we are seeing the sale of tickets,” he said.
Tickets went online since last year but the mad rush started in the last two weeks.
“Most of the tickets would have gone online from as early as last November but in terms of the rush from locals and some of the British visitors, that would have been within the last week and a half,” he said.
Leslie added that with the tickets sales boom and the bathrooms now fully operational, all roads should lead to the Oval.
“All we are waiting for is two competitive matches and for the fans to come and enjoy themselves.”
He said he believed the surface should be a belter and the match could be a high-scoring affair.
West Indies have lost six of their last nine One-Dayers at Kensington Oval, but fans are hoping that the confidence from capturing the Wisden Trophy in the Test series will augur well for the limited overs clashes.
This will be the 30th One-Day International at the Oval, with the first one dating back to the New Zealand tour in 1985. The West Indies have a 12-17 win/loss record at the ground.
It is usually the policy that when the Oval is full, televised coverage is allowed on the home broadcast station. Up to press time, Cricket West Indies had not made a decision.
