Jamaica could host matches in 2024 T20 World Cup

After receiving a handful of international cricket fixtures in recent years, Jamaica could very well be in the thick of things when the International Cricket Council (ICC) men’s T20 World Cup comes to the Caribbean and the United States next year.

ICC senior manager Tulsa Woodham, as well as pitch consultant Andy Atkinson, along with four representatives from Cricket West Indies, were in the region recently touring venues which could possibly be selected to host matches as well as operate as practice facilities.

Jamaica Cricket Association CEO Courtney Francis confirmed that Jamaica is interested in hosting games during the global showpiece, with bid packages ranging from warm-up games, preliminary round fixtures, Super eights, semi-final and final, available to all the territories throughout the region, as well as the United States.

Francis, who was part of the touring team, says a lot of retrofitting will have to take place at Sabina Park to facilitate the shortest format of the game.

“Our stadiums were built in 2006 and, at that time, they were built to accommodate the 50-over World Cup. The T20 World Cup now has a different standard, as they require four changing rooms instead of the normal two, so that four teams can be accommodated for double-headers,” Francis said.

Francis outlined that Sabina Park will be the main venue with others such as St George’s College, Kensington CC, Mico University College, the Jamaica Defence Force ground and Chedwin Park being looked at as possible practice facilities.

“The ICC team is really impressed with the Chedwin Park facility, which they have already given the green light to be a practice venue, as they say it is one of the few grounds that they have visited that is well grassed, even in this time of drought.

The ICC team first visited Guyana and then went through several other territories before visiting Jamaica and then Florida.

Jamaica, as well as the other territories, will know in another two weeks the findings from the venue assessment, after which further discussions will be had with Cricket West Indies regarding the bid process.