Cricket: Guyana will favour spin

Guyana's notoriously slow pitch will suit bowlers like Jeetan Patel. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand has been advised to stack its attack with spin and slow bowling options when the team plays its pool matches in Guyana at the Twenty20 World Cup, starting April 30.

The Providence Stadium, nine kilometres south of the capital Georgetown, is renowned for its slow pitch. In 10 one-day internationals, a 300-plus total has only been reached once. In this season's two one-day internationals between the hosts and Zimbabwe, 14 of the 30 wickets were taken by slow bowlers.

Veteran West Indian commentator Tony Cozier has seen plenty of the wicket over the past three years.

"Spin will play a big part and could do so in St Lucia as well [which, along with Barbados, make up the three venues]. I don't think Zimbabwe used a quick bowling combination for more than five overs. I'd advise the selectors to bank on Daniel Vettori, Nathan McCullum and Jeetan Patel to bowl plenty of overs."

Cozier's comments have been underlined by other observers, such as West Indian players Michael Holding and Jeff Dujon, during this month's tour by Zimbabwe.

There was no live grass on the surface with little movement for new-ball bowlers, hence Zimbabwe's decision to open with off-spinners Prosper Utseya and Ray Price in both matches, while the West Indies' Suliemann Benn opened in the first match and bowled first change in the second.

Overall, preparations for the Twenty20 tournament in the Caribbean appear far smoother than those for 2007 50-over World Cup. Tournament director Robert Bryan says fewer venues, cheaper tickets, less stringent security and the use of the same infrastructure have all helped.

"Within the context of public safety, we want to ensure the vibe of Twenty20 cricket is maintained. The theme will be of a carnival nature so expect colour, music and rhythm."

The slogan for the tournament is "Bring It". Bryan says that's what they're trying to get fans to do with their drums and conch shells - items security cracked down on in 2007.

Cozier says it is for the best: "They'll have to have security, but there will be none of the restrictions from last time, which really killed it. It may be going too far the other way but, with Twenty20, it's almost impossible to make too much noise and overdo things."

"Remember, 2007 was only a shambles because of the ICC security restrictions, really. The inter-island travel and accommodation was good and teams got to venues on time."

The emphasis on marketing has already brought dividends - 95 per cent of tickets have been sold in Guyana with similar sales figures occurring elsewhere. Tickets can be bought for as little as US$5 and fans can get into the May 16 final in Barbados for US$40.

But how is the Caribbean shaping up after the Allen Stanford saga? The former tycoon was shipped off to prison on charges of fraud after investing millions into cricket in the region, which included building his own ground in Antigua.

"His removal has had a limited effect - players just can't earn as much money," says Cozier. "However since Stanford was put in jail we haven't had a regional Twenty20 tournament. There's been no inter-territorial tournament because the West Indies board has been lax and inept. There could be one in July, but the team for this upcoming tournament will be chosen off the top of the selectors heads in that format."

Bryan still has some sympathy for Stanford's achievements.

"He opened the way to establish the knowledge base of Twenty20 in the region. We're building on the legacy and, if anything, it has enabled people to better embrace the Twenty20 brand."