Argentine cricket set to benefit from new turf pitch thanks to MCC and ICC
Cricket in Argentina is set to get a major boost thanks to the generosity of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the continued support of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The MCC, which sent a touring team to the country in January and February this year under the leadership of former England captain Mike Gatting, is donating US$2,500 towards the installation of a turf pitch at St George's College in Quilmes, 18 kms south of Buenos Aires.
ICC will match this donation by adding a further US$2,500 to the project.
It will be Argentina's fourth such pitch and with the College already boasting a ground with an artificial surface and artificial nets, the addition of the new facility will make the venue an outstanding resource.
Ricardo Lord, the President of the Argentine Cricket Association (ACA), said: "This development is a major milestone for the long term future of cricket in Argentina.
"It will enable the ACA and St George's College to organize schools and senior tournaments and with the other turf pitches we already have available it means we can now look to host international events".
"The ACA is very grateful to MCC and the ICC for this special grant which will assist with the continuous development of cricket in Argentina."
ICC Regional Development Officer Grant Dugmore added: "The proposed project is an excellent initiative that will be hugely beneficial to current and future cricket in Argentina".
"The new turf pitch will add to Argentina's drive to elevate their status in the global cricket world, not only on the playing field, but also in terms of being able to host major international tournaments.
"Coupled with St George's fine facilities, the addition of the pitch makes the College a possible future venue for national and international academies.
"ICC Americas is extremely grateful to MCC for their continued invaluable support to development in the region, through special project funding such as this, and naturally through their touring programme in the Americas, emphasized by their commitment to tour Brazil and Chile in 2007."
John Stephenson, MCC Head of Cricket, said: "MCC is committed to developing grassroots cricket, both in England and overseas. This is emphasised by the Club's extensive programmes of out-matches and international tours.
"The trip to Argentina in January of 2006 was enjoyed by players and management alike. We were impressed with the standard of cricket that we encountered in Buenos Aires, and I am delighted that the grant that MCC was able to make, in conjunction with ICC, has been used to fund a turf wicket facility at St George's College.
"This will undoubtedly enable all who have access to it to improve their game, be they school, club or national cricketers. I hope it shall not be long before MCC is in a position to visit Argentina again to monitor their progress."
St George's College Headmaster Peter Ashton said: "We are extremely grateful to MCC and ICC for their commitment to this project putting St George's in the vanguard of Argentine cricket development."
St George's College was founded in 1898 and has almost 700 students, both boys and girls, ranging in age from three to 18.
Details of the MCC's tour of Argentina can be found at:
The MCC squad also included Yorkshire and England players Richard Dawson and Anthony McGrath and the former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower who now plays for Essex, as well as Gatting.