By Carlena Knight
Cricketing great Sir Vivian Richards has shared his disappointment over the recent condition of the Antigua Recreation Grounds.
Sir Viv, while speaking on the Good Morning JoJo Sports show, said it is time for proper maintenance to be carried out on facilities like these which hold such historical and sentimental value for many in the country.
“Well, it certainly doesn’t look good. We got to start looking at places that are of some significance in terms of history, to preserve. The way it is now, well, I guess we are all disappointed. I would have listened a fair bit about the people who are supposed to be responsible in the upkeep and all that sort of stuff and I guess the jury is still out in all departments where this matter is concerned,” Richards said.
The ‘Master Blaster’ also had much success at the historic grounds.
In 1986, Sir Viv became the first batsman to score a Test century at a strike rate of over 150.
He also scored the fastest century in Test history (56 balls) being sole record holder until his feat was first equalled by Misbah-ul-Haq in 2014 and then eclipsed by Brendon McCullum’s 54-ball ton in 2016.
In 1999, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Nation (KCN) in front of hundreds of Antiguans and Barbudans at the ARG.
Recently, it has been reported that work will begin at the ARG as the West Indies Oil (WIOC) Double Decker stand is scheduled to be demolished starting next month to make way for a new stand.
Another project through FIFA in conjunction with the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) will see the grounds being retrofitted.
According to Sports Minister Daryll Matthew an expert is expected to arrive on island to assess the facility