However both parties have declined to comment on the specifics of the agreement following their meeting which ran for nearly five hours at the upscale Spice Island Beach resort in Grenada’s southern tourist belt late Monday.
WICB president Dave Cameron and Grenada’s Prime Minister Keith Mitchell said details of the agreement will be contained in a joint press release to be issued yesterday.
“We also agreed that we will have a joint press release from the West Indies Cricket Board and of course the Prime Minister’s team,” Prime Minister Mitchell told the media at the end of the meeting.
“I believe we have reached a positive conclusion which will chart the way forward. We will be working together with the board and all concerned to move West Indies cricket forward.”
The portents had been more promising for England, after winning the toss and inserting West Indies in helpful conditions. Having called correctly, Alastair Cook then received a second stroke of luck, with the news that Jerome Taylor, who menaced England's top three in the first Test, had been ruled out with a shoulder injury.
When James Anderson produced a sonic-booming inswinger in his second over to remove Kraigg Brathwaite it appeared everyone had received the script. The sight of England's leading Test wicket-taker bending the ball adroitly in either direction was doubly heartening for the tourists, after his struggle for lateral movement in Antigua.
Grenadians protested when Minister Emmalin Pierre confirmed the whispers that the annual Intercol games for secondary school athletes would not be held at the National Stadium. The Government reasoned that the slated dates of March 6, 11 and 12 were too close to the all-important second Test against England scheduled for April 21 – 25.
Their decision was made after consultations with stakeholders so it was not done lightly. Still, the locals bemoaned the chosen Progress Park venue in the Northeast before the games, adamant that it would not be ready, citing logistical and other challenges. Tonight, the Minister for Youth, Sports & Religious Affairs and stakeholders were vindicated when the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) declared that the Grenada venue is ready.
Speaking as a guest on Grenada Broadcasting Network’s (GBN) ‘Beyond The Headlines’ call-in programme on the eve of the Test match, WICB’s Commercial Manager Nelecia Yeates first thanked the Government. "It has indeed been a pleasure to work with them," said Ms Yeates. She then singled out Minister Pierre who was present, saying that it is not often than the WICB Events team has the opportunity to work closely with a Government Minister. "She made herself available and as a result, you have a stadium that is ready," said the Commercial Manager. 0 commentsRead full article →
West Indies head into the second Test against England - starting here today - confident they can build on their impressive showing in the opening match in Antigua and come away with a victory.
Against all odds, West Indies managed to pull off a draw in the first Test at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua last week, after being set 438 to win in just over four sessions.
The Windies have made one change to their squad for the second Test that will be played at the Grenada National Stadium here - drafting in leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo for left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, who was ineffective during the Antigua contest.
As you all know, when on a Sunday morning, I dabble in matters cricket, I first visit with the big-men of West Indies cricket-writing - Tony Cozier and Tony Becca - to see what they are saying. I then, quietly slip into their slip-stream. However, this morning, I will not. Let me gentlemen, gently twist in the wind.
By now, all the wells which spring-forth Banks, Carib, and Red Stripe beers, must be about to run-dry, such was the celebration on the West Indies hanging-on to draw the Test match in Antigua. Imagine, my Caribbean people, going head-over-heels, over a draw!
But before I'm called-out for my mean-spiritedness, let me also join-in, in praising Jason Holder for his cerebral Test century. For those who might not want to rewind the tape, let me remind, that when I saw Jason Holder batting last June, in the Test at Kensington Oval against New Zealand, I sort of saw, what Clive Lloyd, had seen - an intelligent approach to his cricket and to his batting.
Speaking of which. Might those who - for selecting the youngster to wet his feet by captaining the World Cup 2015 team - likened selector chairman Clive Lloyd, to some sort of bumbling oaf, now raise their hand(s)? But gentlemen, this is not my beef.
