Changes likely for 2020 regional cricket tourneys

COVID-19 HAS surely left an indelible mark on sport and in particular West Indies cricket with the regional governing body having to make drastic changes to counter the negative financial impact of the ongoing pandemic.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced on Friday a temporary 50 per cent reduction in salaries and cricket funding across the entire regional cricket system, effective from the start of July.

With a three- to six-month window earmarked for the temporary reduction, the regional Super 50 competition has been put under the microscope with the tournament slated for November this year.

The Sunday Gleaner has learnt that the limited-overs competition could be cut from the regional cricketing calendar due to lack of funding while the West Indies Regional Four-Day competition could also be reduced from 10 rounds to five, according to sources.

When asked about the possibility of these scenarios unfolding, president of CWI, Ricky Skerritt, said the board will have to await the recommendations of the respective committees before any decision of that nature can be made.

Skerritt made it clear that his organisation will continue to put in cost-cutting measures as it has been doing to keep the operations running.

“If we have to cut back on the amount of cricket we can pay for, then we will have to do that,” said Skerritt.

SUPER 50 CUP

In the meantime, international and regional cricket commentator Barry Wilkinson said scrapping the Super 50 Cup would not have a severe impact for a couple of reasons.

“Economically, the Super 50 was not one of the profitable tournaments for CWI, so if it isn’t played it wouldn’t be the biggest thing in the world, plus we are not in a fifty-over World Cup year so the selectors wouldn’t need to be looking at a particular squad or new players,” said Wilkinson.

While admitting the negative impact that COVID-19 has had on cricket, Jamaica Scorpions all-rounder Derval Green, however, believes that not having the Super 50 Cup would be a blow to some of the aspiring cricketers who are looking to get a look in at the international level.

“If there is no cricket, then you don’t have an opportunity to represent the West Indies. I would rather the Super 50 be played and they owe us for it rather than they do not play it at all,” said Green.

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