WICB Salutes Fans in Antigua

Details

Cricket

Monday, 16 January 2012 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua St John's - Official figures from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) have confirmed that fans in Antigua turned out in record numbers to the Caribbean Twenty20 at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

The preliminary round of the flagship WICB tournament was played from Monday January 9 to Saturday January 14 with two matches each day – the second played under lights.

The WICB confirmed that total attendance for the six days exceeded 42,000, with the largest turnout being on Saturday evening when over 9,000 fans gathered at the SVRCG.

On the previous night, just over 8,500 fans came out, with the other matches being viewed by over 6,000 fans each evening.

“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.

She added, “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."

WICB Corporate Communications Officer Imran Khan added, “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 is now looking forward to similar support from the Barbadian public, where the second half of the preliminary round matches will be played along with the semi-finals and final.

The CT20 resumes at the Kensington Oval on Tuesday and the final is carded for Sunday evening.

After the Antigua preliminary games, reigning champions Trinidad & Tobago and an impressive Barbadian unit look to be the favourite teams to reach the final.

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