Antigua still undecided about World Cup venue

ST JOHN’S: Antigua and Barbuda are still undecided about building a new cricket-only stadium or sprucing up the famous Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG) for their bid to stage matches during the 2007 World Cup cricket competition in the Caribbean.

China is giving the Antigua and Barbuda government US$10 million to renovate the ARG, but Prime Minister Lester Bird says a quick start on a new venue could be a more logical option, since preparation must start soon. Work on the ARG would not start until after the very lucrative visit of England next year. “Discussion has been taking place, the problem we have is time, and we are in a bit of a dilemma,” Prime Minister Bird said on CMC’s CricketPlus DHL Lunch-Time show on Saturday. Prime Minister Bird said the ARG would be his preferred choice but he is forced to consider other channels. “I have to look at the practicality of it, but my natural feeling is to rehabilitate the ARG, the ground has rich tradition. It is where Brian Lara made his 375, and Sir Vivian Richards scored the fastest hundred,” Prime Minister Bird said. “There is a view that we should give up the (England) Test match next year and therefore concentrate on getting this (ARG) facility in place, but the decision is in the balance, the cricket association is involved and we have to dialogue with them,” added the Antigua and Barbuda head.

In the meantime, Bird, a former Antigua fast bowler and Pan Am Games long jump bronze medallist, said his government is preparing other facets of the country’s bid to host Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007. “The tourist department has been mandated to get on board and prepare to go forward and put a plan in place as to how we are going to compete (for games). we will make a serious attempt to get at least the semi-finals if not the finals,” Prime Minister Bird said. Prime Minister Bird, Chairman of the CARICOM sub-committee on cricket, is meeting this weekend with other Caribbean leaders to discuss the role of regional governments in helping to stage a successful CWC 2007.