Barbados demolition begins

The Kensington Oval in Barbados © Getty Images

Demolition work has started on the Kensington Oval cricket stadium in Barbados.

The venue, being redeveloped for the 2007 World Cup, was built in January 1930 to host the first-ever Test match in the West Indies when England toured Barbados and has become renowned as one of the most famous cricket grounds in the world.

Steeped in heritage, history and tradition the West Indies remained unbeaten on the grounds from 1948 until 1993.

The government of Barbados is investing £25.3million for the islands’ infrastructural development, which has been spurred by the immense anticipation of the World Cup.

The new plans for the Kensington Oval will be to create a multi-functional sporting complex designed to accommodate an extra 13,000 fans, taking the total seating to over 28,000 for the thousands of international cricket fans expected to descend on Barbados.

Windies legend Sir Everton Weekes said: “I have had several wonderful moments at Kensington Oval.

“I remember as a kid playing in the corners of Kensington Oval and then, of course, playing for the army, Barbados, the Empire and the West Indies.

“I spent so much time there from the age of 10 years old and now that I believe that I must have touched each blade of grass at the Oval.”

Former England skipper Alec Stewart said: “Barbados will always hold great memories for me.

“The 1994 Test match at the Kensington Oval when England finally won a Test after so many years of losses coupled with me scoring twin centuries in the game will stand out as one of the highlights of my career.”