In the wake of Guyanese cricket fans lamenting the failure of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to secure local games during India’s seven-week tour of the Caribbean scheduled to start July 6, Board Secretary Anand Sanasie has disclosed that “high-value” One Day Internationals (ODIs) had been chosen over the Tests.

The tour will start with a two-day practice match from July 9 in St Kitts followed by a three-day warm-up match from July 14 at the same venue. The first Test will begin on July 21 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua; the second on July 30, at Sabina Park, Jamaica; the third on August 9, at Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia and the last one on August 18, at Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad.

Local cricket lovers decried the lengthy absence of Test cricket from these shores and not being able to see the likes of current India stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kholi live.

In explaining why Guyana would not host a match in the West Indies-India series, Sanasie told this publication there were 10 international cricket venues in the Region and matches had to be shared among these venues.

“However, since Guyana won bids to host three matches in the Ballr Cup Tri-Nation Series which featured world champions Australia, South Africa and hosts West Indies, we could not get another match,” Sanasie informed.

In addition, he detailed why the GCB had chosen to host the ODIs over a Test match. “We (GCB) had a choice between the ODIs or a Test match. We opted for the limited overs against the Test match, because they are high value (more beneficial, generates more income) over a Test match,” Sanasie stated.

The last time India toured the West Indies was in June 2011 for a three-Test series, which India won 1-0. The Indian team is expected to depart shortly for the Caribbean with a new coaching staff headed by Anil Kumble.

(Taken from Guyana Times)