By Akeem Greene
The West Indies cricket team were greeted with welcoming smiles by some fans when they arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri Tuesday night for their two One Day Internationals against Bangladesh at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.
They flew from Jamaica after wrapping up the two Test series with a convincing 166-run victory and the only noticeable absentees at arrival were the Jamaican trio of Christopher Gayle, Andre Russell and Ravmon Powell.
News Room Sport understands that the Jamaicans are in their native island preparing to play for the University of the West Indies Vice Chancellor’s XI against the touring Asian unit in a 50-over warm-up match scheduled for Thursday at Sabina Park.
Bangladesh are expected to arrive on Friday ahead of the first match on Sunday from 09:30hrs while the second is a day/night affair which commences at 14:30hrs on Wednesday, July 25.
The home side was initially set to have practice at Providence Wednesday but cancelled those plans.
The 13-man squad reads: Jason Holder – Captain, Devendra Bishoo, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell.
Meanwhile, Anand Kaladeen, Treasurer of the Guyana Cricket Board and Cricket West Indies Director, told the media that the Board is ready to host the matches.
“The Providence Stadium is in good shape; you would have heard they are leaving some grass on the wicket. The team just had 2-0 in the Test series and will be looking to up their rankings in the ODIs,” Kaladeen said.
He added, “the GCB hosting the first two matches will do all in our power to ensure we get two good games here and team starts off on a winning note going to St. Kitts.”
Given the fact that international cricket last graced these shores in April 2017 with a three-match ODI bilateral series with Pakistan, Kaladeen is hoping that ticket sales gain momentum to pave way for a sold-out crowd at Providence.
“It is slow for the first two days but with the team arriving this evening [Tuesday], I hope that by tomorrow [Wednesday] we would see an increase in the sales. We are looking to have a sold-out Providence stadium. For the longest while we did not have reserve seating but for these matches, they will be reserved seating.”
Ticket sales got underway on Monday at the Guyana Cricket Board’s office at Regent Road, Bourda.
They are priced at $5 000 for Red and Green Stand, Orange Stand $3 000 and Grass Mound $2 000. Children under 12 years are free with the purchase of an adult ticket.
Senior citizens, 60 years and over, are free with the presentation of their National Identification card at the box office. Car passes cost $1,000.
After action in Guyana, the final ODI will play in St Kitts, which will also host the first Twenty20 International; they then head to Fort Lauderhill, Florida, for the remaining two matches.
