BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):
President of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and Director of Cricket West Indies (CWI), Conde Riley, has expressed his disappointment that the island will not host any matches in the West Indies Championship for the second consecutive year, despite being home to the reigning champions.
He suggested that the decision shows a lack of vision.
Former opening Test batsman Philo Wallace went further, suggesting that Barbados were “getting fired”.
Last month, the CWI announced that matches in this year’s first-class championship will be played in Antigua, Grenada and Trinidad.
Speaking on the Mason and Guest radio show here on Tuesday, Riley said it was “disappointing” that the venue was not chosen to host any games, especially given Barbados Pride are the defending champions and the crowds that usually turn up for games here.
“Barbados has a lot to offer and when things like this happen, I understand why Cricket West Indies is where it is… It tells a story – that they’re not thinking about,” he said.
Wallace, who was also a guest on the show, said he was also surprised by Barbados’ inaction.
“I think it’s a clear indication from Cricket West Indies that Barbados is being excluded,” the Barbadian said. “You cannot have Barbados as a leading nation in the region not hosting meaningful matches… I would like to know from Cricket West Indies who decides the matches and who decides where these games will be played.”
Despite the disappointment, Riley said it would not stop the Pride from successfully defending their title.
“We will prepare our boys and wherever they play we will win it again. Last year we played most of the games in Trinidad and won… I have no doubt we will repeat as champions,” he said. .
The first two rounds of the West Indies Championship with the six territorial franchise teams – Barbados Pride, Guyana Harpy Eagles, Jamaica Scorpions, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and Windward Islands Volcanoes – will be contested from February 1 to February 11 . at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada and the CCG and Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.
The final three rounds will be played from March 15 to April 1 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Queen’s Park Oval and the Diego Martin Sports Complex in Trinidad.
Riley did not accept CWI Operations Manager Roland Holder’s explanation that the challenges associated with intra-regional travel were the main factor in selecting the sites.
“You can’t get to any part of the Caribbean without air travel,” he said. “I don’t know if guys are going to swim in those other countries or travel by boat, but I do know that if you want to get to Barbados, the same way you get to Antigua or Grenada or St. Vincent, you can in Barbados.”
