Powell says he wants to see international cricket at Sabina Park

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – West Indies Twenty20 Captain Rovman Powell says he wants to see international cricket at Sabina Park again soon and has urged talks between Cricket West Indies and the Jamaica government, in order to have the situation rectified.

The storied venue in the country’s capital last hosted an international 18 months ago in a three-match T20 series against New Zealand, and has not staged a Test match in two-and-a-half years.
Further, Jamaica has not featured on the roster of the Caribbean Premier League for four years.

“Obviously I’m a Jamaican. I want to play in front of my home crowd but for the last few years I haven’t,” Powell said after leading West Indies to a 3-2 series win over England last Thursday in Trinidad.

“West Indies Cricket Board and the Jamaican government really have to sit down and have a conversation about that.

“I’m definitely [worried]. Cricket hasn’t played there in a long time. As much as there are quite a few Jamaicans playing for West Indies now, there is no cricket there.
“Even if you look on the CPL team, I’ve heard reports they’re looking to move the CPL team from Jamaica.”

Earlier this year, Jamaica’s government also opted not to bid for matches in next year’s Twenty20 World Cup which will be co-hosted by United States, from June 4-30.

Organisers the International Cricket Council subsequently announced Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, St Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago as host venues.

Dominica subsequently pulled out.

And while Jamaica’s government said its decision not to bid for matches was based on a sound “cost-and-benefit analysis”, Powell said the country not hosting international cricket was “a little bit disappointing”.