The islands have been accused in the past of having sub-standard conditions, but plans to improve pitches at the various venues are in hand.

"The pitches have had a reputation of being not well maintained," said the tournament's venue chief Don Lockerbie.

"But the new pitches will be of the finest standards. Every single outfield will be renovated."

Six stadiums, at Trinidad & Tobago, St Kitts & Nevis, Jamaica, Grenada, Guyana and Antigua & Barbuda, will be brand new for the tournament, while five other venues will have major revamps.

"A new square will be put in at each, and we are looking for the International Cricket Council to approve all of the pitches and outfields by the end of July this year," added Lockerbie.

"That will allow us to 'manicure' the pitches and put the finishing touches to them for the World Cup."

Sabina Park is one of the grounds set for a makeover. The Kingston venue hosted England's match against the West Indies in January 1998, which was abandoned after only 10 overs because of an unfit surface.

"Over the years the pitches in the West Indies have had a reputation of being not very well maintained. People still have memories of severe drainage problems at places like Sabina Park," said Lockerbie.