Grave: CWI yet to agree on venues for home series

JOHNNY Grave, CEO of Cricket West Indies (CWI), said the venues for the forthcoming home series, against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan, are yet to be determined.

It was reported on Tuesday’s Newsday that the entire South Africa tour of the West Indies (two Test matches and five T20 Internationals), is tentatively set to be staged in Trinidad.

Grave, in a WhatsApp interview on Tuesday, said, “We haven’t agreed venues yet for the men’s internationals against (South Africa), Australia and Pakistan.

We are still talking to Ministries of Health in the region to understand what the protocols might be for both international and regional cricket and where we think the least risk host countries will be.”

The recent Sri Lanka tour of the West Indies, which comprised of three T20 Internationals, three One Day Internationals and two Tests, was staged entirely in Antigua – at the Coolidge Cricket Ground and at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Grave is hopeful that a decision can be made before the end of this month.

“We will convene a board meeting now the AGM (Annual General Meeting) has taken place before the end of the month and will make a recommendation to the Board about the men’s summer schedule and also women’s international, regional and youth tournaments.

“We will continue to try and host as much cricket as possible but need to always ensure player and support staff safety as well as the safety of the population in our host countries,” he added.

Grave has not given up hope that a four-day tournament will take place.

“We are extremely keen to play 4-day cricket and are talking through all the options with the franchise CEOs and WIPA (West Indies Players Association).”

But Grave noted, “covid and ash clouds (from the La Soufriere volcano in St Vincent) are not making planning any easier!!”