Fans can log on to “catch” WICB’s online drive

Cricket fans all across the world can now catch the action in the ongoing WICB Four-day First-class Tournament. The WICB’s website (www.windiescricket.com) has taken on a fresh look and cricket lovers can log on to get:

* up-to-date scores in all matches

* listen to live ball-by-ball commentary

* up-to-the-minute text commentary

* have a look at the scoreboards

* read game reports and up-to-date news and features

* and also see high-quality action photographs.

The enhanced online drive is part of the WICB’s overall master plan to bring supporters back to the regional game and to encourage fans of all ages to feel a part of Windies cricket and get closer to their favourite players from their favourite team.

The radio commentary will also be heard on several leading radio station across the Caribbean. It is being produced by the Line & Length Network, who did a similar job during the WICB’s four-day and one-day tournaments last year as well as the two international series in the Caribbean in 2009 – West Indies vs England and West Indies vs Bangladesh.

Several former West Indies West Indies players including Courtney Walsh and Jeff Dujon, have formed part of the broadcast panel for the opening round of matches being played in Jamaica. Throughout the season, as the matches move around the region, other legends of the game will also be part of the radio and online broadcast and fans can tune in to hear their expert comments and analysis.

The Tournament will feature seven rounds of matches. The first round fixtures are: Jamaica vs Windward Islands at Chedwin Park; Barbados facing the Leeward Islands at Kensington Park; and Trinidad and Tobago going up against Combined Campuses and Colleges at Jarrett Park. Guyana is the other team in the tournament and they have a bye in the first round. Play will start at 10 am.

One of the highlights this season will be use of pink balls in four matches which will be played under lights. These games will be: Trinidad and Tobago vs Guyana at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua (January 15-18); Barbados vs Windward Islands at Kensington Oval (January 29 to February 1); Combined Campuses and Colleges vs Jamaica at Guyana National Stadium (February 12-15) and Combined Campuses vs Leeward Islands at Beausejour, St Lucia (February 26 to March 1). These matches will start at 1 pm.

Full list of fixtures with venues for the West Indies Cricket Board’s four-day first-class Tournament 2010

Round 1: January 8-11 in Jamaica

Jamaica vs Windward Islands at Chedwin Park

Trinidad and Tobago vs Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) at Jarrett Park

Barbados vs Leeward Islands at Kensington Park

bye: Guyana

Round 2: January 15-18 in Leeward Islands

Jamaica vs Leeward Islands at Warner Park, St Kitts

Barbados vs CCC at Grove Park, Nevis

Guyana vs Trinidad and Tobago at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua – day/night

bye: Windward Islands

Round 3: January 22-25 in Barbados

Barbados vs Trinidad and Tobago at Kensington Oval

Windward Islands vs CCC at 3Ws Oval

Jamaica vs Guyana at Foursquare Park, St Philip

bye: Leeward Islands

Round 4: January 29-February 1 in Barbados (hosted by CCC)

CCC vs Guyana at 3Ws Oval

Trinidad and Tobago vs Leeward Islands at Foursquare Park, St Philip

Windward Islands vs Barbados at Kensington Oval – day/night

bye: Jamaica

Round 5: February 12-15 in Guyana

Guyana vs Barbados at Albion

Leeward Islands vs Windward Islands at Bourda

CCC vs Jamaica at National Stadium, Providence – day/night

bye: Trinidad and Tobago

Round 6: February 19-22 in Trinidad

Trinidad and Tobago vs Windward Islands at Queen’s Park Oval

Barbados vs Jamaica at UWISPEC

Guyana vs Leeward Islands at National Cricket Centre

bye: CCC

Round 7: February 26-March 1 in Windward Islands

Guyana vs Windward Islands at Grenada National Stadium

Trinidad and Tobago vs Jamaica at Progress Park, Grenada

CCC vs Leeward Islands at Beausejour – day/night

bye: Barbados