The St. Kitts and Nevis cricket ground Warner Park, has been voted the best pitch and outfield during the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and has been awarded a US$10,000 prize.
The award was judged by a team comprised of CPL Pitch and Field Consultant, Kent Crafton, International Director of Cricket, Tom Moody, Chief Operating Officer, Pete Russell and Cricket Operations Director, Michael Hall.
The panel was impressed with the overall improvement of the pitches across the Caribbean but had to pay special homage to Warner Parks grounds and caretakers. Kent Crafton commented, When the CPL schedule was finalised we knew that Warner Park was always going to be a challenge with it hosting nine tournament matches in 12 days. The schedule included three double headers, as well as a celebrity match. We all agreed that the pitch square and outfield were turned out in excellent condition and stood up well to the demands which were made on it. Just under 2,700 runs were scored in the nine games at an average of just under 300 runs per game and Stedroy Douglas and his team are being rewarded for their efforts.
CPL Cricket Operations Director Michael Hall, said; The season stats for the Limacol CPL 2014 confirm that the pitches were better prepared this year – and a great deal of credit must go to Kent who provided excellent guidance to the each of the curators and their staff at all the match venues. The average runs per game was 143, up from 131. The average team strike rate was 127, up from 116, and significantly, there were four centuries and 34 fifties, up from zero and 14 last year, respectively.
Also commenting Minister of Sports St. Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Glenn Phillip said: I would like to thank Mr. Thorn Phillip from the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club and Mr. Corey Chapman for their support in making the outfield what it was for the CPL. To all those who worked behind the scenes, we thank you for making the CPL in St. Kitts and Nevis such a resounding success.
Head Groundsman at Warner Park Stedroy Douglas, added; We put in the hard work and are reaping the rewards. The guys really deserve this award and I am very happy for them and also very proud that St. Kitts and Nevis is being recognised.
