JUDGING FROM MY experience at last week’s cricket, West Indies cricket is not the only thing in crisis. Our experience of the “Mecca” was at best an unprofessional sham.
I purchased tickets as soon as they became available locally on February 2. There were six of us and I carefully choose a block in the 3Ws Stand so that we could sit together in good seats with our overseas guests. (Would someone please explain why tickets only became available five weeks before the event when we are expecting so many guests?)
On February 20 I was informed that we had been relocated to the ill-maintained, paint-peeling and rusting Hewitt Inniss Stand, 76 steps and eight flights from the ground with no elevator. What an embarrassment.
My view of the northern stumps was completely blocked by a column. It soon became apparent many of those around us had also been relocated, some barely managing the access steps.
We understand this entire situation occurred because no accommodation had been made for life members.
Why was this not addressed before the tickets went on sale and how can anyone justify selling Hewitt Inniss tickets at the same cost of the 3 Ws? That is daylight robbery! We spent the day trying to see the wicket and staring at our many empty seats in the 3Ws.
But the first impressions did not start there. On arrival at Kensington we were met by a long line and when our e-tickets were eventually checked, they were cut in half by a pair of nail scissors! Technology at its finest!
Food wait
How are the concessionaires chosen and what training do they have? Patrons need, no, deserve, fast food and fast service. They will then return for more. It’s another area of total chaos and unprofessional approach, and the catering numbers must not have been a surprise.
At the concession stands there was no signage or anything to facilitate orderly queuing. I went down the eight flights of dirty steps to get food a good half-hour before the interval and waited for 20 minutes before discovering that only drinks were available at that booth. Apparently, the piece of A4 paper with “Pilau” scrawled on it was for “Next door”. Who knew?
I then stood for another hour in front of another concessionaire. I was about 20 from the front but with all of the “line boring” that was going on, I never did get to the front.
So after one hour 20 minutes I returned to my seat empty-handed and having missed several wickets (which perhaps was a blessing).
One of our visitors remained and after a further hour, returned with a few fish cakes and fries. By this time the match was nearly over.
But that is not all: the ladies in our group reported that from early morning some toilets were not flushing and no attempt was made to repair them or lock them off. This continued throughout the day.
No toilet paper and hand towels compounded the bad service. Why was there no supervisor checking? Where were the janitorial services?
Kensington has a death wish. Late and changed ticket sales, overpriced, inferior seats, queuing in hot sun for food and drink, concessionaires unable to cope, unsanitary conditions and then you expect visitors to return?
It’s just as well England won – perhaps it will help them forget this Kensington Oval disaster.
I went home a very disappointed man.
– JAMES ELLIOTT