Despite the best efforts by the Guyana government to put a
positive spin on the situation, there is a huge question mark
concerning the Indian construction firm that has been chosen to
construct the cricket stadium for World Cup 2007.
Experts from the International Cricket Council (ICC) have
rejected the drawings by the architects and are openly questioning
the track record of Engineering Projects India Ltd (EPIL) in the
area of stadium construction.
West Indian umpire Billy Doctrove moved a step closer to joining
the ICC Elite Panel when his name was included among the list of
umpires for next month's ICC Champions Trophy in England.
The 49-year-old Doctrove, who made his Test umpiring debut in
2000, joins Jamaican Steve Bucknor as only two Caribbean umpires in
the tournament. Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd will serve
as a Match Referee.
Jermaine Lawson's troublesome back injury has flared up again,
forcing the fast bowler out of the West Indies squad for next
month's ICC Champions Trophy in England.
Lawson has a newly diagnosed stress fracture of the lower back
and will be out of action for at least six weeks. All-rounder
Darren Sammy will take his place.
Former West Indies fast bowler Kenny Benjamin has joined the
coaching staff of the U.S. team for next month's ICC Champions
Trophy 2004 in England.
The 36-year-old Benjamin, an accredited Level 2 Coach, will
serve as technical consultant and bowling coach for an American
side that is competing for the first time in a major ICC cricket
event.
Trinidad & Tobago-based RBTT Financial has emerged as the
frontrunner to replace Red Stripe as the title sponsor of the West
Indies regional one-day competition.
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is in the final stages of
negotiations with RBTT to bankroll this year's
revamped tournament, which will be played in three stages in
Guyana, Grenada and Barbados.
