ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) - Ground staff at Kensington Oval in Barbados and Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia copped the coveted Pitch and Ground Incentives for the recent West Indies home Test and One-Day International Series.
Kensington Oval was awarded the prize in the Test Match category and will receive a US$10 000 prize, while Beausejour Stadium took the One-Day honours and will collect US$5 000.
Zorol Barthley, chief cricket operations officer of the West Indies Cricket Board, said the incentives had to a large extent served the purpose, with great care and pride being taken in the preparation of pitches.
“There is room for improvement, as a good cricket pitch gives both bowler and batsman a chance to benefit from their skills,” he said.
“Tilting the balance too much in favour of one or the other is not in the interest of the game or the spectators for that matter, who fundamentally want to see an even contest, particularly at the international level.”
The results were based on a points system allocated to the pitch’s bounce, competitiveness, appearance and management, and the outfield’s evenness, appearance and management.
The points were tallied from totals submitted by the captains, coaches and former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding.