A New Look Kensington Oval Should Help Revive West Indies Cricket

One major benefit the West Indies gain from hostingmoments such as those achieved in the past:
ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 was the developmentDennis Atkinson and Clairmonte Depeiza 1955 match
of the cricket infrastructure around the Caribbean.saving stand of 347 for the seventh wicket against
The tournament came at a time when cricketan Australian attack, which include Ray Lindwall, Keith
grounds needed a major upgrade and with cricketMiller and Richie Benaud.
possibly at its lowest ebb.The highest Test score at the Kensington Oval is 337
So when Kensington Oval the Mecca of West Indiesby Hanif Mohammad for Pakistan against the West
cricket submitted a successful bid to host the finalsIndies in 1958.
of the Cricket World Cup, everyone new what aLance Gibbs best bowling figures of 8/38 achieved
massive task was at hand. And when in 2005 afteragainst India in 1962.
110 years of first class cricket the ground was close,Lawrence Rowe 302 in 1974 against England describe
to start what was an extreme make over in time forby the many fans that saw it as one of the finest
cricket world cup fans waited with baited breath.innings in cricket history.
After a year of heavy construction Kensington OvalJeff Thomson fiery spell of fast bowling in 1978,
was reopen on Saturday February 17th 2007 with awhich accounted for the wickets of Gordon
spectacle befitting a cricket ground that has playedGreenidge, Viv Richards and Alvin Kallicharan and won
host to many magical cricket moments.the hearts of the Barbadian fans.
What fans saw of the new Kensington Oval wasMichael Holdings best over ever in 1981 when he
nothing short of miraculous, rebuilt at the monumentaltormented Geoff Boycott with the first five balls and
cost of 130 million dollars? The New Kensington Ovalthen clean bowled him with the last ball of that same
stands as a reminder of the commitment of theover to send the Barbadian crowd into frenzy.
government and people of Barbados to a sport andCurtly Ambrose 8 for 45 against England in 1990 that
a facility that has brought Joy and glory to this smallwon the match and the series for the West Indies.
Caribbean nation.And in 1999 Brian Lara serving a three-match
The main attraction of the Kensington Oval brand hasprobation from the West Indies Cricket Board played
always been its rich cricket history. This small intimateone of the most majestic Test match innings ever
cricket ground has been the home of some of theplayed. He made 153 not out against the mighty
most legendary cricketers to walk this earth.Australians the innings was proclaimed by Wisden as
Kensington Oval has also been the venue of some ofone of the five greatest Test innings of all time.
the most magical moments in cricket history.And perhaps the most prestigious match the ground
One only has to visit the ground and take a look athas ever hosted the 2007 Cricket World Cup final
the names prominently displayed on each stand andbetween world champions Australia and Sri Lanka.
you will be transported into a place of nostalgia,Since then Kensington Oval has been mostly idle
names such as Garfield Sobers, the 3W's Weeks,hosting only the finals of Sir Garfield Sobers
Worrell and Walcott, Hall and Griffith, Greenidge andtournament, a hockey tournament and some trial
Haynes, Marshall and Garner, all reflect Barbados as amatches for the Barbados cricket team.
cricketing powerhouse.As we look to restart international cricket at
As Kensington Oval began a new innings with theKensington Oval in 2008 we look forward to more
Kensington Forever spectacle, which featured pastbrilliant performances that will continue the legacy of
greats, West Indian fans will hope and pray that thethis great ground. Our only hope is that the new
magnificence of this rebuild cricket venue will inspiregeneration of West Indies cricketers live up to the
future players to produce more priceless crickethigh standards set by the legends of this great game.