WICB bans alcohol from Caribbean gorunds

St John's, Antigua, Apr 28 (UNI) Cricket fans in the Caribbeans have been left dry without a high as West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has adopted the ICC Safety and Security Pro Forma, which prohibits bringing alcohol in the grounds.

''The West Indies Cricket Board will no longer allow alcohol to be brought to international matches in the Caribbean -- though it will be sold from concessionaire stands within the grounds,'' a WICB release said here.

The regulation, which came into effect on April 1 was originally taken at the ICC Chief Executives' Committee meeting in June 2003 a two-year grace period - from February 2004 until April 2006 - was given to the members to implement it.

The policy would be first utilised during the West Indies' home series against Zimbabwe and will be a permanent feature thereafter.

''We want to meet our obligations as a member of the ICC and therefore it is important to adhere to this regulation. Cricket in the Caribbean is steeped in tradition but we are operating in a global market place and we must keep pace with international standards,'' Chief Cricket Operations Officer of the WICB Zorol Barthley, said in the release.

The WICB said the new regulations would help match authorities to manage the level of alcoholic consumption by fans.

''While they will still be able to bring food, spectators will have to submit to mandatory security checks of their bags and hampers,'' Mr Barthley added.

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