The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 is just a couple of sleeps away. The tournament will be played in the West Indies and the USA with the cricket boards from both countries playing as co-hosts. The West Indies Cricket Board last organized an ICC Men’s tournament back in 2007.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 serves as a perfect chance for the West Indies Cricket Board to redeem themselves not only as a strong cricketing nation but also as a quality host.
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Six cricketing arenas across the West Indies are set to host 24 group stage games, all 12 second-round matches, plus the semi-finals and final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. From the historic Kensington Oval in Barbados to the scenic Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia, each venue boasts improved amenities, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable tournament. Here’s a quick experience of the lively atmosphere of the Caribbean venues, where new cricketing tales will unfold during the tournament.
GUYANA NATIONAL STADIUM (PROVIDENCE), GUYANA
The Guyana National Stadium, also known as Providence Stadium, was built in 2006 for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2007. It’s situated on the east bank of the Demerara River, a few kilometers south of Georgetown, the capital of Guyana.
One distinctive feature of the stadium is a grassy area where many fans gather, especially at the cover/backward square-leg boundary. Other parts of the stadium have stands with shade. A memorable cricket moment happened here when Lasith Malinga took four wickets in four balls, helping Sri Lanka win against South Africa during the Super 8s stage 17 years ago.
The West Indies will kick off their tournament here, playing against Papua New Guinea on June 2. This venue will host five group matches and a semi-final on June 27.
KENSINGTON OVAL IN BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS
The Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, is the largest cricket venue in the Caribbean, with a permanent capacity of 28,000 people. Cricket matches have been held here for over 120 years, dating back to as early as 1895 when international touring teams played matches.
Before the 2007 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, the ground underwent upgrades. It also witnessed England’s victory over Australia in the T20 World Cup 2010.
During the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, the Kensington Oval will host the first half of Group B matches, along with three second-round games and the final on June 29th.
SIR VIVIAN RICHARDS STADIUM, ANTIGUA
The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium is located in North Sound, Antigua, just a 15-minute drive from the capital city of St. John’s. It was constructed before the 2007 Cricket World Cup and hosted six matches during the Super 8 stage of the tournament.
In the upcoming T20 World Cup, the stadium will host four second-round matches, following four matches from the later part of Group B. Teams like Oman, Namibia, and England will play here twice. The stadium pays tribute to cricket legends Sir Curtly Ambrose and Sir Andy Roberts, both from Antigua, by naming stands after them.
BRIAN LARA CRICKET ACADEMY, TAROUBA
The Brian Lara Cricket Academy is situated in Tarouba, on the outskirts of San Fernando in southern Trinidad. It became Trinidad and Tobago’s main cricket ground in 2008, taking over from Guaracara Park in Pointe-a-Pierre.
Since 2017, this multi-purpose facility has been hosting top-level cricket matches. Before the upcoming tournament, it has undergone some upgrades. During the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, the academy will host four group stage matches starting from June 12, as well as a semi-final on June 26th.
ARNOS VALE GROUND, ST. VINCENT
The Arnos Vale Ground in St. Vincent is a versatile venue that hosts both cricket and football. It has been hosting international cricket matches since 1981, including a thrilling One Day International where the West Indies narrowly defeated England by just two runs.
Situated just outside Kingstown in Arnos Vale, the stadium can accommodate up to 18,000 spectators. During the T20 World Cup 2024, matches will take place here starting from June 13th, when Bangladesh faces The Netherlands.
In the group stage, Nepal will compete against South Africa and Bangladesh at this venue. Additionally, two second-round matches will be held here on June 22nd and June 24th.
DAREN SAMMY NATIONAL CRICKET STADIUM, ST LUCIA
The Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia, was officially named after Daren Sammy in 2016. This renaming occurred after Sammy led the West Indies cricket team to their second T20 World Cup title. The stadium is located on the outskirts of Rodney Bay, with the scenic Beausejour Hills providing a beautiful backdrop.
The stadium hosted its first international match, an ODI between the West Indies and New Zealand, in June 2002. It has an oval-shaped playing surface, with longer boundaries extending straight from the wicket and shorter dimensions on the sides.
Daren Sammy holds the unique honor of having the stadium named after him. Additionally, Johnson Charles, another cricketer from Saint Lucia who achieved success in the T20 World Cup, has a stand named after him at the venue.
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2007 in the Caribbean was not up to the mark with regard to the quality of the pitches produced. The players and the spectators were very unhappy with the overall tournament preparations. The grounds, the change rooms, the seating arrangements and the hospitality faced a lot of backlash due to poor quality services.
However, after 17 years, the West Indies Cricket Board is all set to welcome the world to their home once again. This time with upgraded facilities and top-notch services, the cricketing arenas are set to provide a memorable experience for players and fans alike.
The West Indies Cricket Board is on a mission to redeem themselves as quality hosts, cricket enthusiasts can look forward to witnessing thrilling games amidst the vibrant atmosphere of the Caribbean.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye.
