Kensington Oval gets green light

Kensington Oval has passed ICC Cricket World Cup's final systems test with flying colours. In fact, CWC's Venue Development Director, Donald Lockerbie, gave Kensington Oval, which is the venue for six Super 8 matches and the tournament Final, the highest possible rating.

Speaking to the media last Wednesday after the systems test was concluded, Lockerbie said: "I am very, very happy with what we have seen here and we are proud to announce that we have given the Barbados LOC and this wonderful facility a green rating."

Cricket World Cup's rating system ranges from red, the lowest rating; through yellow, blue to green and Kensington Oval is the only venue to have attained a green in the final systems testing which occurred at each of the match venues.

Lockerbie noted that in addition to the stadium's main spectator facilities, he was particularly impressed with the Garfield Sobers Players' Pavilion - rated by many as the best in world today - and the media centre, which has five levels and facilities to accommodate radio and TV broadcasters, print media and photographers.

The names of the stands in Kensington Oval have been rechristened to honour several great Barbadians who either played the game or contributed to its development.

The stands include Worrell, Weekes and Walcott stand named after the late Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Everton Weekes and the late Sir Clyde Walcott. There is the Hall & Griffith stand named after the fast bowling pair of Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith. The Greenidge and Haynes stand is named after Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes, the most successful opening partnership in the history of the game. The Hewitt & Inniss stand is named after administrators Mitchie Hewitt and Eric Inniss.

The media will occupy the Coppin, Cozier and Short Media Centre, named after journalists Oscar S. Coppin, E.L. 'Jimmy' Cozier and his son journalist/commentator Tony Cozier. Also honoured is Capt. Peter Short, a former president of both the West Indies Cricket Board and the Barbados Cricket Association.