St George’s Grenada – Cricket fans in Grenada are expected to come out in large numbers when the West Indies Cricket Team makes a return to the island for the three-match One-Day Series against Zimbabwe.
Friday’s One-Day International at the Grenada National Stadium will be the first match of the International Home Series of cricket in the Caribbean. Tickets have been set at Eastern Caribbean $20 (US$7.50) for the match. First ball is 9:30 am (8:30 am Jamaica Time).
The Windies last played in the Spice Isle back in 2009 during a Test Series against Bangladesh and their return is being eagerly anticipated on the island. Newly-elected Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell has also announced a Public Holiday on Friday following Tuesday’s General Elections.
According to WICB’s Event Manager, Cindy McLean, plans are coming along smoothly for the start of the International Home Series 2013. She added that there is a buzz in Grenada as fans look forward to seeing the West Indies players on show for the first time since their ICC World T20 victory in Sri Lanka last year.
"It is great to be back in Grenada as international cricket makes a return to Grenada National Stadium. The local association and organisers are working hard and we expect a great match on Friday to International Home Series off to a good start. The ticket prices have been set at a very affordable price and fans have responded quite well," McLean told WICB Media.
"The fans have been given a Public Holiday on Friday and we expect a bumper crowd for the start of the International Home Series here in the West Indies. We know they will come out and ‘rally round the West Indies’".
McLean added: "The island has just come out of election mode and is now into cricket mode, and everyone is working in earnest as we prepare for the start of play on Friday. All the systems are in place for the beginning of what promises to be a great year of international cricket in the West Indies."
Zimbabwe last toured the Caribbean in 2010 when they played T20s and ODIs. On this tour they will play three ODIs at the Grenada National Stadium, two T20s in at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground and two Test matches at Kensington Oval, Barbados and Windsor Park, Dominica.
TOUR SCHEDULE
Fri, Feb 22: 1st One-Day International – Grenada National Stadium, Grenada
Sun, Feb 24: 2nd One-Day International – Grenada National Stadium, Grenada
Tue, Feb 26: 3rd One-Day International – Grenada National Stadium, Grenada
Sat, Mar 2: 1st Twenty20 International – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua
Sun, Mar 3: 2nd Twenty20 International – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua
Thu, Mar 7 to Sat, Mar 9: Tour match – Windward Sports Club, Barbados
Tue, Mar 12 to Sat, Mar 16: 1st Test – Kensington Oval, Barbados
Wed, Mar 20 to Sun, Mar 24: 2nd Test – Windsor Park, Dominica
WEST INDIES SQUAD
Dwayne Bravo (Captain)
Tino Best
Darren Bravo
Johnson Charles
Narsingh Deonarine
Sunil Narine
Veerasammy Permaul
Kieron Pollard
Kieran Powell
Denesh Ramdin
Kemar Roach
Andre Russell
Ramnaresh Sarwan