ICC Trophy Tour ends with Runs and Rhythm Mix

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy tour ahead of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ hosting of matches in the Men’s T/20 World Cup, ends today, Friday, May 17, 2024.

The tour culminates three days of showcasing the coveted trophy that all 20 teams will be vying for during the hosting of the global event, set for June 1-29.

Uniquely, culmination of the St Vincent and the Grenadines’ leg of the trophy tour, coincides with the launch of Vincy Mas 2024, hence the double delight has been dubbed: “ Runs and Rhythm”.

Former St Vincent and the Grenadines, Windwards, Combined Islands and West Indies wicketkeeper, Thaddeus Michael Findlay with the ICC T/20 trophy. (API photo)

Following a visit to the Grenadine island of Bequia earlier today, the trophy will be pride of place at the DNA parade, around capital, Kingstown, which forms part of a prelude of the official launch of Vincy Mas 2024.

The trophy arrived last Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the Argyle International Airport, and was received by former St Vincent and the Grenadines, Windwards, Combined Islands and West Indies wicketkeeper, Thaddeus Michael Findlay.

He is also the Project co-ordinator and Chief of Mission of the Local Organising Committee for the World Cup.

Handing over the trophy to Findlay was Phillip Spooner, who is the World Cup’s global Media Operations Manager.

On hand to witness the safe arrival of the trophy were former Vincentian cricketers who represented the West Indies in various formats of the sport, current St Vincent and the Grenadines Under-19 cricketers, as well as government officials.

Minister of Tourism and Culture, Carlos James speaking at the welcoming ceremony, extolled the significance of the tour and St Vincent and the Grenadines being a venue for matches in the tournament.

“What Cricket and this ICC T/20 Men’s World Cup means to our Region, to our Caribbean Civilisation is the legacy of West Indies Cricket in the next generation of the many students, cricketers and athletes who are going to see for the very first time, trophy on our island; but a number of the international games that will be played here in St Vincent and the Grenadines at the Arnos Vale Cricket Stadium…”.

He added, “This is an opportunity that is once in a lifetime for many of these athletes”

Following the arrival of the trophy, there was an Uptown Vibe at the NIS Carpark also on Wednesday.

Then, yesterday Thursday, May 16, 2024, saw the trophy traversing the North Windward, with a photo shoot at the iconic Black Point, then to North Leeward, also on the mainland.

A special stop was made at Troumaca, the birth place of Findlay, and Wilf Slack, who played for England in Test matches, as well as the Combined Islands in the regional four-day Cricket Competition.

With Vincentians getting the rare opportunity to be part of the trophy, attention now shifts to the hosting of five matches here at the show piece ground, the Arnos Vale Playing Field.

The schedule shows that on June 13, Bangladesh plays the Netherlands; Friday June 14, South Africa comes up against Nepal, with Bangladesh taking on Nepal on Sunday, June 16.

These Group D matches will be followed by two qualifying matches, starting on Saturday, June 22, with the first place in Group C meeting the second place in Group B, and Monday June 24, the winner of Group C will challenge the second place in Group D.

In preparation for these matches, the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines has spent approximately EC$38 million on the refurbishment of the Arnos Vale One Playing Field, inclusive of the installation of lights and electronic scoreboard among other improvements. There has also been upgrades to the Arnos Vale Two Playing Field, the Sion Hill Playing Field, and Cumberland Playing Field.

St Vincent and the Grenadines is among six Caribbean countries slated to host matches in the tournament. The others are Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda as well as Barbados.

The Caribbean co- hosts the tournament with the USA, where three cities- New York, Florida and Texas, will stage matches.