– to host 5th ODI and 1st Test at Providence National Stadium
By Rajiv Bisnauth
From (left to right) Reon King, GCB PRO Terry Holder, President Chetram Singh, Secretary Anand Sanasie and Marketing Manager Ramsay Ali
Outgoing Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) President Chetram Singh informed media operatives that Guyana is “prepared” and “ready” to host its leg of the West Indies/ Pakistan matches of the Digicel home series.
Guyana will host the final ODI on May 5, and the first of two Test matches from May 12th to 16th at the Providence National Stadium; and, according to Singh, Guyana is prepared and fully ready at this time.
Also, during the Guyana leg, Pakistan and the President’s X1 will do battle in a two-day warm-up game at the GCC ground on May 8th and 9th.
Briefing media operatives on upcoming preparations for the Guyana leg, Singh mentioned that both the Pakistan and West Indies teams, along with officials, will arrive on a chartered flight on May 3.
In terms of security, the board has already had meetings with the police and other security officials. This aspect of the tour will be headed by Paul Slowe, who was recently appointed WICB Security Manager. An on-the-spot security meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 19th at the Providence National Stadium to further access the security situation. “This meeting will allow us to identify how many police officers are needed, and the locations of police officers for both the ODI and Test match. We do expect a better crowd for the ODI. As such, a two-scale security system will be looked at,” Singh noted. As usual, there will be police outriders for the entire period.
Spectators will be scanned before entering the stadium. No glass bottles and weapons will be allowed in the stadium.
The GCB president noted that the teams will have their practice sessions at the Everest Cricket Club Ground, the Police Sports Club Ground, or the Providence National Stadium.
At the practice venues, spectators will not be allowed within close proximity of the playing area. However, they will be allowed to use the pavilions. In the case of the GCC, venue spectators will use the Rohan Kanahi Pavilion.
According to Singh, gates will be opened from 06:30 hours for the ODI, and from 07:00 hours daily for the Test match.
Tickets
Tickets will go on sale on Monday, April 18th, at the GCB ticket office on Regent Road, Bourda. Ticket prices for the ODI are as follows: South West Stand (Green Stand) – Gy$3,000; North West Stand (Red Stand) – Gy$2,500; South Stand (Orange Stand) – Gy$1,500; and Grass Mound/Party Stand Gy$500.
For the Test match, ticket prices are as follows: South West Stand (Green Stand) – Gy$1,500 for the first four days and Gy$5,600 for the entire match; North West (Red Stand)- Gy$1,000 for the first four days and Gy$3,800 for the entire match; South Stand (Orange Stand) – Gy$500 for the first four days and $ 1,800 for the entire match; Grass Mound/Party Stand- Gy$500 for the first four days. Patrons can enter the stadium free on the fifth and final day, and also for the practice match. Each patron is entitled to purchase six tickets.
Senior citizens who were born before June 24, 1950 are eligible to win two free tickets to the match/matches of their choice; and those born between June 24th and 29th, 1950 are eligible to win ten free tickets to the match/matches of their choice.
Also, 1200 tickets will be distributed to four schools, namely: South Ruimveldt Secondary and Tucville Secondary, and St Pius and Enterprise Primary schools.
