NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – A record number of over 42 000 fans watched the first phase of the Caribbean Twenty20 tournament at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium here, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has reported.
In a release yesterday, the WICB said the official figures for the 12 matches, which were played from January 9 to 14, had “exceeded all expectations”.
The biggest turnout of over 9 000 spectators was on Saturday night when Barbados beat Jamaica by 62 runs in the key Group B match.
On the previous night, just over 8 500 fans came out for the Group A clash between title holders Trinidad & Tobago and the 2010 champions Guyana, which Trinidad & Tobago won by seven wickets.
The other matches were viewed by over 6 000 fans each evening, the WICB said.
“The attendance by the fans in Antigua has exceeded all our expectations. The turnout has been tremendous and the fact that attendance numbers every night this year have bettered the best night last year is indisputable evidence that Caribbean T20 is getting bigger year after year,” WICB Events Manager Cindy McLean said.
“We salute and thank the fans in Antigua for their overwhelming support. They came out in massive numbers and showcased Antigua on worldwide television and they have helped Antigua to benefit from wide exposure in some very diverse markets,” McLean added.
WICB Corporate Communications Officer Imran Khan also commented: “The large crowds at the SVRCG tell us that there is a genuine love for Twenty20 cricket in Antigua and that the fans particularly prefer and enjoy cricket in the evenings under lights.”
“With the preliminary round being moved from Trinidad to Antigua, it was truly heart-warming to see the fans, including the large Guyanese and Jamaican communities in Antigua, come out and support their teams,” Khan said.
“For six consecutive nights in Antigua we saw a display of true Caribbean unity, for even as the fans supported their teams they also cheered on, appreciated and enjoyed the quality performances from all the teams.”
McLean said the WICB was now looking forward to similar support from the Barbadian public for the second half of the preliminary round matches, as well as the semi-finals and final.
The tournament resumes tomorrow at Kensington Oval. The final is scheduled for January 22.
After the Antigua leg, Trinidad & Tobago and an enterprising Barbados appear to be the favourite teams to reach the final.
