The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) made the decision to shift venues for the opening stages of the Caribbean T20 tournament from Trinidad to Antigua without consulting the Queen's Park Cricket Club (QPCC).

This was the QPCC's explanation yesterday after the WICB announced on Monday they had moved the January 2012 tournament from the Queen's Park Oval to Antigua's Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.

In their statement, the WICB cited the high rental cost of the Oval, and a clashing engagement on January 14 during the tournament as reasons for the shift to Antigua.

But QPCC, via a media release, stated that they were "extremely disappointed" to learn that the tournament would not be played at the local venue.

Queen's Park explained they were negotiating with the West Indies Board since June, but were advised by the WICB in November to hold talks with the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB), who were to host the tournament on the regional Board's behalf.

"Negotiations between the QPCC and TTCB commenced on November 21st, the release read, "and prior to the conclusion thereof, QPCC received a letter from the WICB proposing a rental fee significantly less than that proposed by the TTCB. QPCC responded indicating that it would be prepared to accept the fee proposed by the TTCB."

A letter from the WICB dated December 2–which put the figure at US $60,000 for six days of cricket—announced the change in venue, but Queen's Park insisted they were still in negotiations with the TTCB at the time.

QPCC also said that before the WICB made their announcement, they had sought to clarify the Board's position through "several phone calls and emails" without a response.

Concerning the clashing engagement, QPCC indicated that they never informed the WICB that the "venue was unavailable", and added that they had told the WICB about their prior booking, which the Board accepted.

Queen's Park further stated that as a private members club, they maintain the venue "using [QPCC's] own financial resources".

"[QPCC] receives no financial assistance from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and hence must charge a rental fee for the use of the facility," said the release.

They also pointed out that the Sir Viv Richards Stadium is "not free", but that their costs are being borne by Antigua and Barbuda's government "out of public funds".

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com