Grand closing ceremony for Kensington Oval

There will be a grand closing ceremony for The Kensington Oval ahead of its demolition at the end of June. Known locally as The Mecca, The Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, has hosted international matches since 1895, including the first Test played in West Indies in 1930, which was a high-scoring draw against England. It has been home to the Pickwick Cricket Club since 1882, and now it is set for a grand send-off.

The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) and World Cup Barbados (WCB) are coming together to organize the ceremony, and intend to make it an occasion to remember. "We want to make it quite special," a spokesperson for the WCB told the Sunday Sun newspaper, "and we will be making every effort to incorporate several areas of Barbadian cultural and sporting life."

It is hoped that the Barbadian legends Sir Garry Sobers, Sir Everton Weekes, Sit Clyde Walcott and Wes Hall will be able to attend. There are also plans to assemble all living Bajans who have represented West Indies for a photo-shoot in front of the pavilion.

The last match to be played on the ground will be the first Test against Pakistan next month. After the game, building will start on a new stadium which will hold 28,000 spectators - an increase in capacity of 13,000 - and should be ready in time for the World Cup which will be played in West Indies in 2007.