Viv Richards stadium makes comeback with switched matches

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium will make its comeback to international cricket after the West Indies Cricket Board on Tuesday announced the venue would host matches switched from Trinidad and Tobago for next month’s South Africa tour.

Two Twenty20 Internationals and two One-Day Internationals have been scheduled for the venue just outside the capital here, and they will mark the stadium’s return to the international schedule after the embarrassment during England’s tour of the Caribbean last February.

The stadium was suspended for a year after the second Test there against England was abandoned after just 10 balls due to the dangerous condition of the outfield.

However, the WICB said the ground had now been cleared by the International Cricket Council.

“A full inspection of the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium was conducted by the International Cricket Council and the venue has been given full clearance to host international cricket again,” the WICB announced.

The stadium will host the T20Is on May 19 and 20 before staging the ODI doubleheader on May 22 and 24.

Authorities were forced to move the games from Trinidad and Tobago to facilitate the country’s General Elections on May 24.