IND vs WI: Sir Andy Roberts Lambasts CWI For Scheduling More Matches In Trinidad In India's Tour Of Caribbean

Former West Indies pace bowler Sir Andy Roberts has criticised the Cricket West Indies, the governing body for the game in the country, for scheduling too many matches in Trinidad.

Trinidad and Tobago is a dual-island in the southern Caribbean and it comprises 42 per cent of the Indian diaspora -1.3 people – as per a report from the High Commission of India Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

The recently concluded three-match ODI series was held at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad’s capital city Port of Spain. India whitewashed the hosts 3-0 after defeating them by 119 runs in the final ODI through the Duckworth Lewis method (DLS). The first of the five T20I matches between the West Indies and India will begin at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad.

India plays in Trinidad or Guyana every time they come: Sir Andy Roberts

Roberts, who played 47 Tests and 56 ODIs for West Indies, explained how their board has kept Trinidad as the main venue whenever India visits the island nation.

The 71-year-old also mentioned Guyana as the second region with enough presence of the Indian diaspora. However, there is no white-ball match scheduled in Guyana for this series, Roberts said this scheduling needs to change.

“That is the way it has been. When we were playing, if we had five Test matches against India, two would be in Trinidad. It was because more people would come to watch those games. Those were the non-television days and more crowds in the ground had meant more revenue. It is no longer that way now, the revenue comes from the television but still the board plays more India games in Trinidad or Guyana,” Roberts told Cricbuzz.

“We are looking at the Indian population in both Trinidad and Guyana. What other reason do we have for playing every tour India makes in Trinidad or Guyana? Every time India come, they play Trinidad or Guyana, invariably; same for Bangladesh (team). We believe the Indians will watch Indians. Have a team from Africa come here, do you think the Indians will watch the Africans,” he added.

Sir Andy Roberts is entitled to his opinion: CWI

Responding to the former pacers’ criticism on the scheduling of major matches in Trinidad and Guyana, Cricket West Indies (CWI) president Ricky Skerritt said that the legendary bowler is entitled to his opinion.

“Sir Andy Roberts is entitled to his opinion, of any kind, about anything to do with West Indies cricket,” Skerritt told Cricbuzz.

The second and third T20I matches will be played at Warner Park in St Kitts with two teams travelling to Florida in the United States of America (USA) for the final two T20I matches.

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