As the countdown continues to the Barbados leg of the 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), one of the key organisers has outlined that Kensington Oval is on track to deliver top-class pitch and outfield conditions at the region’s number one sporting facility.
Speaking ahead of the first CPL match in Barbados next month, Wendell Coppin, head of operations at the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) revealed that extensive preparations are underway to present the historic venue in “pristine condition”.
Kensington Oval last hosted a major international fixture when Australia defeated West Indies in the first Test match of the Frank Worrell trophy series in June. The venue underwent major multi-million dollar upgrades last year to host the memorable final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, earning praise and earning commendation for outstanding preparation and presentation.
“CPL will be on our shores shortly and the BCA, with our responsibility for the pitches and the outfield, we have been putting in the world tirelessly over the past few months to ensure we have everything in place,” Coppin told DAILY NATION.
The Royals had a very good camp in Barbados before they hit the road to play their ‘away’ matches and prior to the camp the work started. We anticipate the pitch and field will be in keeping with those we had for the World Cup (last year).”
With a packed fixture list at the Oval – with five home matches in eight days – the pitch rotation and field management have become focus areas. The local curators, in coordination with CPL, have been working to ensure balanced playing surfaces that support both batters and bowlers.
According to Coppin, the ‘square’ has been undergoing careful monitoring, while the outfield has been cut and irrigated in keeping with the required standards when the Barbados Royals play at home.
The first CPL match at Kensington Oval will be on the night of Thursday, September 4, against Guyana Amazon Warriors.
“Obviously at Kensington Oval, the ‘mecca’ of cricket in the Caribbean, with the standards that we have set over the years we intend to maintain, and we expected the facilities will be in pristine condition for this year’s CPL,” Coppin said. (PS)
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