The Champ
International Coach
Queens Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Queen's Park Oval is generally thought of as the most picturesque ground in the West Indies. It is also the largest, accomodating 25,000 spectators in comfort. Home of the Queen's Park Cricket Club (QPCC) since 1896, it hosted the English teams touring the West Indies early in 1897 one under Lord Hawke, the other under Arthur Priestley.
The capacity of the ground has made it most profitable (holding at least 7000 more than any other ground in the West Indies). The pavilion was erected in 1896 and by and large, remained unchanged until 1952 when it was replaced by a two-tiered pavilion.
Natural turf was used in the early years for matches. However, damage cased by the mole-cricket in the soil rendered it impossi- ble to prepare turf pitches. For forty years thereafter, a clay strip was used, over which matting was laid. The final test played on matting was in 1954 when WI scored 681 for 8 and Eng- land 537 in reply. Within three months, the pitch had been re- moved and efforts were underway to replace the centre square with turf.
Queen's Park has been described as a classic ground with breath- taking backdrops, most notably, the northern hills. No section of the crowd captures the spirit of Trinidad than the 'Concrete Stand', renamed the Learie Constantine Stand. The fans are avid followers of the game, excitable and generally enjoy their crick- et, led by a character affectionately known as 'Blue Food'.
It is perhaps the site of the demise of Sobers as a captain, when he set England 215 to win, which they promptly made for the loss of three wickets. It was a move which the Carribean never forgave Sobers for. It was also the venue for another famous finish when Clive Lloyd set India 406 to win which was reached for the loss of only four wickets. Perhaps the birth of conservative declara- tions which now prevail in world cricket, most notably in Aus- tralia.
Queen's Park Oval is generally thought of as the most picturesque ground in the West Indies. It is also the largest, accomodating 25,000 spectators in comfort. Home of the Queen's Park Cricket Club (QPCC) since 1896, it hosted the English teams touring the West Indies early in 1897 one under Lord Hawke, the other under Arthur Priestley.
The capacity of the ground has made it most profitable (holding at least 7000 more than any other ground in the West Indies). The pavilion was erected in 1896 and by and large, remained unchanged until 1952 when it was replaced by a two-tiered pavilion.
Natural turf was used in the early years for matches. However, damage cased by the mole-cricket in the soil rendered it impossi- ble to prepare turf pitches. For forty years thereafter, a clay strip was used, over which matting was laid. The final test played on matting was in 1954 when WI scored 681 for 8 and Eng- land 537 in reply. Within three months, the pitch had been re- moved and efforts were underway to replace the centre square with turf.
Queen's Park has been described as a classic ground with breath- taking backdrops, most notably, the northern hills. No section of the crowd captures the spirit of Trinidad than the 'Concrete Stand', renamed the Learie Constantine Stand. The fans are avid followers of the game, excitable and generally enjoy their crick- et, led by a character affectionately known as 'Blue Food'.
It is perhaps the site of the demise of Sobers as a captain, when he set England 215 to win, which they promptly made for the loss of three wickets. It was a move which the Carribean never forgave Sobers for. It was also the venue for another famous finish when Clive Lloyd set India 406 to win which was reached for the loss of only four wickets. Perhaps the birth of conservative declara- tions which now prevail in world cricket, most notably in Aus- tralia.
