A glorious era in West Indies cricket came to an end last June when the last Test match was played at the famous Antigua Recreation Ground in St.John’s, Antigua.

For the past quarter of a century, the ARG has provided some of the most thrilling moments in Test history. It was here that Brian Lara, the current West Indies skipper, twice broke the world record for the highest individual Test score.

In 1994, he surpassed Sir Garfield Sobers’ 36-year-old mark of 365 not out with 375 against England. And nearly a decade later Lara scored an unprecedented 400 runs against the same opponents to regain the record from Australian Matthew Hayden (380).

Son of the soil Sir Viv Richards also enjoyed a special love affair with the ground, and the England attack.

In 1987 Richards took only 56 balls to score the fastest century in Test history. Yet one of the most exhilarating moments at the ARG arrived three years ago when the West Indies successfully chased down what looked to be a unassailable target of 418 runs to beat top ranked Australia in a Test match.

Inevitably, however, change would come. And it did so in the form of a magnificently designed $21 million stadium fittingly named after the legendary Richards himself, located on the northern side of the Caribbean Island that will play host to ‘Super Eight’ World Cup matches next month.

The new facility, Test cricket’s 52nd venue, features two impressive grandstands and can accommodate 10,000 spectators. An additional 8,000 seats will be provided at the ground on a temporary basis for the World Cup.

Not surprisingly, however, the new venue has prompted mixed reaction from the Island’s cricket-loving inhabitants.

“Initially people were very sceptical about what was going to be taking place here. But they have come to accept that this is the reality of moving into a new venue,” commented senior Antiguan journalist and broadcaster Colin James.

“The ARG will always have a soft spot in a lot of people’s memory and it will never die. And it is also good to honour our heroes like Sir Viv (Richards) now rather than when they are gone.”

James said the new stadium had taken Antiguan cricket to a new level.

“From what we know of the ARG ground, this has certainly put cricket facilities in Antigua on an international level,” he said. “We are accustomed to our stands surrounding the ARG, but now we have two main stands which can accommodate up to 10,000 people.

“And generally I think the people who have worked here have done an excellent job in terms of turning what was virgin sugar cane land into what is now a first class facility.”

The playing square at the newly built venue features seven pitches, four of which will be used during the World Cup.

Former West Indies ‘A’ fast bowler Anthony Merrick — who toured Bermuda with Antigua in 1984 — is the man who has been given the responsibility of producing first class batting strips, and is the first to admit the job has been a challenging one.

“It has been a challenge for us. But this is something that we are accustomed to,” said Merrick, who also worked at the ARG as a groundsman. “We are here first thing in the morning until late in the evening. And hopefully we will get the recognition we deserve as groundsmen when the World Cup arrives.

“We have put a lot of time and work into preparing the playing surface, which are going to be the best in the Caribbean.”

Former West Indies pacer Kenny Benjamin is among those looking forward to having Test and ODI matches played at the new venue.

“The Antigua Recreation Ground is very famous and has lots of good memories,” he said. “But I think it has also played its role and now it’s time to move forward.”