A trip to Antigua and Barbuda could take in a number of different sports, but I was solely interested in one. Cricket is the focal point here and, while we didn’t travel with the specific aim of taking in a match, the calendar was kind this time.
Our holiday, in September 2022, had been postponed three times due to the pandemic and the new dates were not ideal in cricketing terms. We were ahead of the holiday season and a high chance of heavy and extended rain means that matches are not generally scheduled for this time.
However, due to similar weather problems earlier on, the women’s limited overs series between the West Indies and New Zealand had been delayed. This meant that we were able to attend the T20i game at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on September 28th.
This, however, was only part of the cricketing journey. We were able to visit three major cricket grounds in our time here and each was very different. But first, back to the action.
West Indies v New Zealand: First T20i at North Sound: September 28th, 2022
The scorecard will show that the West Indies won this game by one run but, in truth, it was never really that close. The Kiwis were behind the rate all through their innings and only some late hitting from Hannah Rowe got them within touching distance.
In a low scoring match, West Indies made 115 all out batting first, with Aaliyah Alleyne top scoring with 49. New Zealand fell behind that rate and needed eight to win off the last ball as Rowe cleared the boundary for only the second six of the match.
It was a windy day in North Sound and the flags were cracking at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. We were impressed with the facilities although we expect that far more food and drink stalls would have been open for an international involving the men’s side.
The game was well attended and the tickets cost a very acceptable $5. Luck played a part in our ability to attend the game, but if you also have experience of the stadium and its facilities please do let us know.
Coolidge Cricket Ground: Saint George Parish
We had also passed the Viv Richards ground on the way in from the airport, but it wasn’t the first major cricket stadium that we saw. Right by the airport itself is the Coolidge Ground, once seen as the future of the sport in the West Indies.
Opened in 2004, the stadium has been used for men’s and women’s limited overs internationals, but it gained wider recognition for a different type of representative game.
Originally named as the Stanford Cricket Ground after its founder, the Stanford Super Series of 2008 featured a $20 million, winner takes all showdown between the Stanford Superstars and an England team. The word ‘Stanford’ is mentioned a lot there as the team, ground and tournament took its name from their currently incarcerated founder.
Played in the T20 format, England were defeated heavily, a fact that they may be grateful for on reflection.
We caught a quick glimpse of this ground on the way out of the airport and it appeared overgrown and underused. On the way back, the taxi driver stopped to allow for some photos and it appeared that the grass had been cut. While there is no apparent prospect of any international cricket in the near future, it remains a good looking facility and it’s hoped that it will serve some purpose for cricket in the region.
Antigua Recreation Ground: St Johns
Once again, a taxi driver did us a favour by making a detour to take in this venue. The Antigua Recreation Ground was the scene of both of Brian Lara’s world record test scores, but it’s a sorry sight these days. I have played on worse village surfaces – but not many.
The ground was constructed in 1978 and, for many years, it was the main location for touring sides here. The first international match at the recreation ground was an ODI between the West Indies and Australia in 1978 while England were the visitors for the first test match three years later.
By 2007, it was falling into disrepair and the decline has continued.
You can see the ground from parts of St Johns and it’s only a short walk away from the city centre. As far as I know, there are no official tours taking place, but the gates were open and I had the feeling that I could have blagged my way into the inside areas if I had more time.
As it was, I took a wander around the outfield and what used to be the square. There are people on site and the grass is kept short, but it’s looking dilapidated and, as I said, the Recreation Ground is a pretty sorry sight these days.
At the moment your only option for watching professional cricket in Antigua lies at the Vivian Richards Stadium. It’s a little out of town – actually it’s in the middle of nowhere, unlike the Recreation Ground which had all the bars, restaurants and other distractions within a short walk.
Speaking of those distractions, I’ll get on and produce a brief guide to some of the other tourist attractions here. We didn’t take full advantage of them as it wasn’t that kind of break, but we have some great recommendations to share in terms of where to stay, places to eat and drink and what to do.
We’ll link in soon, but if you have your own experiences of sports tours to this island, let us know what you think.
