As preparations continue for hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, organizers will host a series of workshops for the pitch and outfield curators and other members of the ground staff responsible for the venues and facilities across the region.
Over 50 staff members in the six host nations in the West Indies will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) officials during the workshops and developmental courses from March 6 to 27.
Roland Holder, CWI Manager of Cricket Operations and Head of Cricket for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, outlined the reasons behind the series of workshops.
He said the upcoming series is crafted by CWI and designed to upskill existing curators across the region by exposing them to international best practices for pitch preparation and applicable maintenance while simultaneously expanding the cadre of curators by identifying new talent with the appropriate combination of theoretical knowledge and practical exposure, to lend further expertise to match venues as we seek to deliver a world-class event in June.
“We are enthusiastic about these workshops and educational seminars across the region. It is great to know that over 50 members of our ground staff will benefit from this series of seminars, which has been strategically set up in the six region host territories for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,”
Holder said.“This is geared towards ensuring that the persons responsible for the pitch, outfield, and other facilities on the ground will benefit from the knowledge available, in line with international best practices and in keeping with the highest standards. We know this is for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and post-World Cup, as good pitches lead to good cricket with an even contest between bat and ball. This is an essential preparation area for the biggest event ever hosted in the West Indies.”
The workshops will include both indoor educational sessions and outdoor practical events. They start in Antigua and Barbuda from 7-8 March, move to Saint Lucia from 11-12 March, and then to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from 14-15 March.
From there, the series moves to Barbados from 18-19 March and Guyana from 21-22 March before concluding in Trinidad and Tobago from 25-26 March.
These six countries will host matches in the ninth edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be played from June 1 to 29.
West Indies hosted the event in 2010 and will hold matches at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Kensington Oval, Guyana National Stadium, Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Arnos Vale, and Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
The event will be the largest in the tournament’s history, with 20 international teams playing 55 matches across nine locations.
It is the first time the USA will host matches at a T20 World Cup, with 16 first-round matches split between Nassau County International Cricket Stadium (New York), Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium (Dallas), and Broward County Stadium (Lauderhill). (CWI)
