Fri | Jan 10, 2025

JCA T10 tournament critical to LA2028 hopes

Published:Friday | January 10, 2025 | 12:10 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
JCA CEO Courtney Francis (centre) listens as JCA fist vice-president Fritz Harris (right) addresses the media at the launch of the JCA Dream XI T10 tournament at Sabina Park yesterday. JCA Operations Manager Oniel Cruickshank looks on.
Lennox Aldred
JCA CEO Courtney Francis (centre) listens as JCA fist vice-president Fritz Harris (right) addresses the media at the launch of the JCA Dream XI T10 tournament at Sabina Park yesterday. JCA Operations Manager Oniel Cruickshank looks on.

THE JAMAICA Cricket Association (JCA) Dream XI T10 tournament is set to bowl off today at Sabina Park starting at 11:30 a.m., and CEO of the JCA, Courtney Francis, has highlighted the significance of the tournament, which will be staged for the third time.

With Cricket West Indies slated to host an under-23 T20 tournament later this year to help select nations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Francis says this T10 tournament will be used to identify talent who may very well go on to represent the country at the regional tournament.

“I call this format the Twitter of cricket, fast-paced and exciting. What we will do is use this tournament as a preamble that will create a pathway for our national selectors to update their depth charts. By doing so, that will ensure that they have some data to help them to select the Jamaica team,” said Francis.

Each of the six franchises - Surrey Royals, Surrey Kings, Surrey Risers, Middlesex Titans, Middlesex United Stars, and the Cornwall Warriors - will play at least 10 games starting January 10 and will culminate with the final on January 25.

Defending champions Surrey Kings will open up against the Middlesex United Stars at 2 p.m. in the second game of a double-header. The Surrey Royals will square off with the Cornwall Warriors at 11:30 a.m.

New manager of the Surrey Kings, Wayne Lewis, says his team is raring to get the ball rolling.

“We are the defending champions, so we will be targeted. We have some match winners led by captain Jeavor Royal, and we should give a good account of ourselves,” said Lewis.

Some of the island’s top cricketers are expected to be on show, with West Indies players Nkrumah Bonner and Odean Smith set to turn out for the Surrey Royals while West Indies batsmen Jermaine Blackwood and Kirk McKenzie are set to play for the Surrey Kings.

The Surrey Risers will have talented West Indies U19 player Jordan Johnson on their roster with national captain John Campbell set to lead the Middlesex Titans.

West Indies seamer Marquino Mindley will represent the Cornwall Warriors.