TWENTY20 cricket should be played at the school level if the country is serious about providing the proper infrastructure to excel in the lucrative format, according to Jamaica’s senior coach Junior Bennett.

Bennett called for the introduction of the format in schools moments after the Jamaicans arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport on Sunday after losing in the championship match of the Caribbean T20 tournament to Trinidad & Tobago.

“T20 cricket is here to stay so we have to start exposing youngsters from as early as possible. We have to look at having it played at the school level and try and build a base from there. We have to start somewhere and we have a good school structure in Jamaica so if we start it in the school it can reap rewards,” he said.

Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) president Lyndel Wright told the Observer that there has been communication with the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) about the implementation of T20 cricket, but blamed lack of funding as a major obstacle.

“We have spoken to ISSA and they are interested in that but then it comes down to funds. We need money to start T20 cricket in schools and we also need funds to prepare our teams so they can play more T20 competitions. Certain programmes are necessary to help to enhance the performance of our team.

“Last year we found a way to increase the number of matches played in our club competition. We still need to do more so that players can feel more comfortable and understand the rudiments of playing T20 cricket,” he said.

Jamaica, the reigning West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Super50 champions and winners of the past four regional first-class tournaments, have never won the T20 title. They have now been to the final twice and lost on both occasions.

Jamaica will begin the defence of the regional four-day title on February 3 against Windward Islands at Sabina Park.