Sabina Park reconstruction on war footing

Sabina Park will host all of West Indies' group matches at the World Cup © Getty Images

Already a month behind schedule, work is in full swing at Sabina Park in Jamaica to have it ready before the start of the 2007 World Cup.

"Sabina is about a month behind but we're not worried as it relates to the World Cup," Pauline Nelson, communications manager of Jamaica Cricket 2007 Limited, the Local Organising Committee (LOC), told the Jamaica Gleaner. "Because we are obligated to play India and Zimbabwe there we are a little worried."

Sabina Park has been chosen as the venue for all West Indies group matches next year. The stadium's renovation is yet to be completed, but the George Headley Stand has been remodelled with changes to boxes in the middle of the stands and the seats being lowered to ground level. "We're comfortable that the seating bowl, the lower seats on the new stand, will be ready," Nelson pointed out. "George Headley will be ready, but the higher stands will not be. The problem we have is a one-month delay but we feel they will catch up. We're getting a new Mound and the new name is the Party Stand."

Reconstructed at a projected cost of US $29 million - with a $3.7 million overlay - Sabina Park will also host touring matches in the coming months to test the facilities. India tour the West Indies in May, but Zimbabwe's tour remains uncertain given the players' contract disputes. "Construction-wise we're making up some time and we expect that our plans for hosting the matches in May, will be met and the stadium will be ready as scheduled in October," said Robert Bryan, executive director of the LOC.