St John's (Antigua), March 27 (IANS) Despite last minute requests from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and challenges to complete preparations in time, Antigua has declared its readiness to host the Super Eight matches at the new Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground starting Tuesday.

Chairperson of the World Cup Antigua Inc. (WCAI), John Maginley, the government minister with responsibility for World Cup preparations, said Monday that additional security concerns and last minute tweaking had added to the challenge of getting Antigua and Barbuda ready.

"We were ready to go but the ICC came up with some security issues like an access road on the northern side of the stadium for evacuation in the event of an emergency," Maginley told a media briefing.

"We are confident that by this afternoon the road will be completed. We are excited. I think we are ready."

He said there was an 11th hour request for TV requirements such as a dedicated video screens instead of two scoreboards.

George Goodwin, the CEO and managing director of WCAI, said most of the work had to do with the overlay or temporary facilities.

"On the main stadium, the permanent structure... apart from the changes that people are asking for now all of that work has been virtually completed," Goodwin said.

Maginley said it has been "a great experience (filled with) challenges" for the government to have fulfilled its obligation as a host venue.

"The last few days have been challenging," Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) quoted him as saying. "Some hit us in the still of the night. I don't think the government and people have even been engaged in a project of this magnitude especially under the tight guidelines and time frame we had."

Maginley called on the people to let cricket be the judge of preparedness.

"The main focus will be on the cricket. Because it's a virgin pitch there is going to be concern. But the initial response from both sides is that it is going to be hard and bouncy," he added. "Certainly what we are hearing there's going to be a lot of runs.

"The outfield has been a challenge... with patches on the field but certainly not significant enough for us not to have any games."

Fourteen one-day matches, six of which were rain-affected, were played on the pitches between June and October last year and the cricket operations unit of the local organising committee (LOC) said four of the pitches have been rated among the fastest in the region.

Maingley said interests in tickets had reached a fever pitch as long lines could now be seen outside the box office.