Amid growing skepticism over the completion of construction work of the World Cup stadium on time, West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) received some encouraging words from the ICC inspection team for the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Don Lockerbie, the ICC CWC 2007 chief operations and venue development director, said his team was happy with the progress made since March.

"A tremendous amount of work has been done since we were last here in March and I can tell you that Antigua and Barbuda will, for the first time, get the highest ranking," he said.

"They are clearly on schedule," he added.

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He also had a word of praise for the Chinese financers and their local counterparts.

Last month, casting of the roof for the fifth floor of the southern stand was celebrated here. This stand will house the pavilion, hospitality suites and spectators.

This stadium is one of 12 new venues being built or renovated for next year's World Cup.

However, Jamaica's Sabina Park is yet to catch up with the schedule and remains a reason for concern.

- UNI