Monday March 17th 2008, St. George’s: Derbyshire County Cricket Club will arrive in Grenada this week to begin preseason training. The Derbyshire side will be led by their captain, Ricky Clarke.  While in Grenada, Derbyshire will play at least eight games, and will also practice at the facilities at the St. George’s University and the National Stadium. Derbyshire will play against the Grenada National Team, an Invitational Eleven and a Trinidad and Tobago select team. These games will take place at La Sagesse and the National Stadium and the general public is invited.

Derbyshire’s visit is part of the Government of Grenada’s Sport Tourism Initiative.  Minister of Sport Hon. Roland Bhola said that Derbyshire’s visit shows that Government’s Sport Tourism Initiative is paying off. “We are extremely pleased to have Derbyshire visit Grenada. Their visit is a big plus for Grenada as yet again, we are the only Caribbean island hosting English County teams. This I believe is not only due to Government’s initiative but also due to the excellent reviews Grenada has received from previous counties who have visited. I want to commend my team in the Ministry of Sports, the private sector service providers and all involved for a job well done,” Minister Bhola said.

Grenada has previously hosted Northamptonshire, Sussex, Yorkshire, Warwickshire and the England “A” team. This year Grenada will also host the Lancashire County Cricket Club and thirteen school and club teams from the United Kingdom. According to Minister Bhola, the competition provided will be a plus for Grenadian sport. “The real beneficiaries from our Sports Tourism Initiative are our young athletes. Our young cricketers and netballers have been consistently exposed to good competition from U.K. teams and this has no doubt improved our sport,” the Minister remarked.

Derbyshire’s schedule is as follows….
Derbyshire CCC
Itinerary
March                                   Thursday 20th     Depart from London Gatwick, arrive Grenada

                                               Fri   21st             Practice                                                                SGU

                                              Sat 22nd              vs. Grenada                       50 overs               National Stadium

                                               Sun 23rd             vs. Grenada                       50 overs               National Stadium
                                               Tues 25th            vs. Select XI                      50 overs               La Sagesse

                                               Weds 26th          vs. Select XI                       50 overs               La Sagesse

                                               Sat 29th              vs. Grenada                       50 overs               National Stadium
               
                                                Sun 30th            Internal practice match 2 x 20/20                     National Stadium
                                                                                (incl guest Grenada players)               

                                               Weds 2nd           vs.Grenada                          50 overs               National Stadium
                                                                                Full team