Guyana has been?scrapped as the venue for third Test between the West Indies and New Zealand and an alternate venue will be announced today for the June 26 to 30 match.
In explaining the reason for moving the Test from Guyana, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB)?said yesterday that following engagement with the Government of Guyana on matters pertaining to the Cricket Administration Bill in Guyana, the parties have not been able to find a mutually agreeable resolution.
“The WICB has serious reservations that the Cricket Administration Bill which was passed in the Guyana National Assembly thrusts the administration of cricket in Guyana from an independent body to the Government of Guyana. This the WICB views as undesirable and inconsistent with International Cricket Council tenets,” the WICB?said in a release last night.
The WICB said it sought an undertaking from Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar that the bill should not be signed into law until the areas of concern were resolved.
The Board said it had also given its commitment that once Ramotar provided such an undertaking, all the previous arrangements in Guyana would remain but added that it did not receive such an undertaking.
As a result, the WICB said it was left with no option but to relocate the Test from Guyana and consider a new venue.
“The WICB regrets having to take this course of action and seeks the understanding of cricket fans and stakeholders in Guyana,” the Board added, noting a review of all matters pertaining to cricket in Guyana, will be done. (EZS)
