South African game in Montserrat deemed outstanding success

Derrick Nicholas

April 15, 2001

Montserrat and Salem Park are receiving high marks after successfully hosting the University of the West Indies' (UWI) Vice-Chancellor's XI versus South Africa cricket match on Thursday April 12.

Seen as a test of the island's readiness to re-establish itself as a venue for first-class cricket in the aftermath of destructive volcanic activity, this game and all the arrangements surrounding it ran smoothly, prompting various officials to acknowledge the event as a significant step in Montserrat's rehabilitation.

Chief Executive Officer of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Gregory Shillingford, said: "It was a fine day of cricket. The Montserrat Cricket Association and the Government did a lot to put this game on and I am quite pleased with what I saw. Montserrat is now ready for cricket and will be able to contribute to Leeward Islands and West Indies tournaments."

His sentiments were echoed by David Kenworthy, the Secretary of the Leeward Islands Cricket Association, who noted the match was "something the local (cricket) association had been striving for since the volcano erupted".

"A lot of money has been spent on this ground and a lot of effort has been put in by many people. Heartiest congratulations to all Montserratians from the Leeward Islands Cricket Association. You have done a fantastic job at Salem Park. The wicket was wonderful and the reception from the crowd was fabulous.

"It's great to see international cricket here on Montserrat again and to see the island back in the fold as far as being a venue for Leeward Islands cricket is concerned."

President of the Montserrat Cricket Association, John Smith, looked at the larger picture in assessing the match's success.

"This was so important for our country because we have had a lot of very bad press. Many people think we are still in crisis mode and don't understand we are living here quite normally. So, to have a day where we get completely positive news, that's very important to the country. It will bring more people here on a regular basis. Montserrat on the whole is the big winner."

South African captain Shaun Pollock expressed his team's delight in being part of this landmark venture which gained worldwide focus through the attendance of Caribbean, English and South African media.

"It was a great experience for us and it was for a really good cause. I think it has shown the world that Montserrat is getting back on its feet. The people have been very friendly and we really enjoyed it."

Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Professor Hilary Beckles, said it was highly appropriate that Montserrat, now in the midst of redevelopment, was the location for this year's Vice-Chancellor's match.

"Being here in Montserrat is directly consistent with the philosophy of the Vice-Chancellor's game because it is more than a game. It's an attempt to link cricket to community development and Montserrat is clearly a place that requires the full support of all West Indians at this time.

"We chose Montserrat because there is a rebuilding process going on here and all of us want to be part of it."

It is estimated that about 80 per cent of Montserrat's population attended the match which was the first major cricket game held on the island since the 1994 Red Stripe Cup encounter between the Leeward Islands and Trinidad & Tobago.

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