KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica will remain part of the West Indies cricket fold for the foreseeable future.
Far from withdrawing from the West Indies Cricket Board, Jamaica Cricket Association President Paul Campbell indicated the plan was to fortify the relationship to help restore the Caribbean’s supremacy in the sport.“We are not interested in a separation from the WICB,” Campbell told the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper. “We are members of the West Indies cricket union.“Our efforts and attention, despite our recent successes, will be focused along the line of improvements to Jamaica and, by extension, West Indies cricket.” He added: “We must not lose fact of the point that West Indies cricket can only be strong if cricket in the islands are strong. “What we want to see is West Indies cricket go back to the pinnacle of world cricket.”
Talk about secession from West Indies cricket gathered pace in the region last year, when a Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board official felt this might be the path for the two-island republic in light of differences with the regional governing body over the administration of the game in the region.
But Campbell outlined to the newspaper that such a move would erode the rich history and tradition of West Indies cricket.
He also noted that it would force Jamaica to play in International Cricket Council affiliate competitions to qualify for world tournaments and take players off the international circuit for close to five years.“If you understand the construct of World cricket, if a country decides to go it alone, its players would be off the international stage for a period of time,” said Campbell.
“It means that Jamaica would have to start at the level of an associate playing nation, seeking to qualify for ICC affiliate tournaments.
He continued: “If you are talking about limited-overs – Twenty20 or One-day International – it could take five years or so. If you are looking to play Test cricket it could take 10 to 15 years.”
Campbell’s comments came against the backdrop of Jamaica winning the regional first-class championship for the third straight season.