JCA peeved at Aussie tour snub
THERE has been much discontent in Jamaica since it was revealed that the largest of the English-speaking Caribbean territories was not selected to host any matches for next year’s home series against Australia.
But according to West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) communications director Imran Khan, no territory has any prescribed right to host international matches of their choosing.
Said Khan: “There are 10 territories across the Caribbean. It is not possible for all venues to have matches in the main series each year.
Significantly, attendance in Jamaica has been weak in recent years.
“Further, the WICB has a commitment to the four countries which, at significant national cost, stepped up to host the ICC World Twenty20 in 2010.
“These are Barbados, Guyana, St Lucia and St Kitts,” he added.
Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) president Lyndel Wright, who is also a WICB director, publicly stated that the JCA has expressed its “dissatisfaction” in not being awarded any of the three Tests, five ODIs or two Twenty20 Internationals scheduled against the Aussies.
Statistical checks made by the Observer on www.cricinfo.com indicate that in the last two decades, Sabina Park, the premier cricket venue in Jamaica, was involved in two of four homes series against Australia.
In the past 10 years, Jamaica played host in home series involving all major Test-playing nations, with the West Indies playing India at Sabina Park on three occasions, while entertaining England twice there during the period.
Australia’s last visit to the Caribbean was 2008 with Sabina Park only hosting the first of three Tests in the series.
Meanwhile, Jamaica is likely to feature heavily for the New Zealand series which follows the Australian tour.
“Jamaica is certain to have matches when New Zealand tour later in the year,” said Khan.
Having missed out on the Australian series, the JCA boss said his association expressed interest to be part of the New New Zealand tour, with the matches at Sabina Park dove-tailed into the Country’s 50th year of Independence celebration.