T20 doubleheader welcome, says WICB chief executive

BRIDGTOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies Cricket Board chief executive Ernest Hilaire says the two-match Twenty20 International series against England next month is a welcome engagement for the regional side.

The England and Wales Cricket Board announced yesterday that the West Indies will play England in the doubleheader on September 23 and 25 at the historic Oval in London.

“We’re delighted with these two opportunities for our West Indian players to showcase their skills in the exciting T20 format,” Hilaire said.  “We have had several players emerge on the world stage through this format and these two matches against the reigning World Twenty20 champions will test our players and provide them with wonderful opportunities to demonstrate their worth to the English fans and fans all across the world.

“We look forward to two competitive games and on behalf of the players we thank the ECB for the opportunities.”

The matches have been scheduled by the ECB to fulfill their contractual obligations to television giants Sky, following the collapse of the Stanford Super Series deal.

According to reports, the matches could become an annual event until the broadcasting rights deal between the ECB and Sky expires in 2013.