THE Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) welcomes the chance to stage matches in next year’s One-Day International (ODI) Tri-Nation Series, according to honorary secretary Fritz Harris.

Speaking to the Jamaica Observer yesterday, the JCA secretary expressed pleasure at being able to host matches in the series against the backdrop of recent disgruntlement with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) after being overlooked for some previous home tours.

“We (at the JCA) are pretty pleased that we have the opportunity to host some of those matches. It has been the JCA’s mandate and it is always in our interest to have cricket here.

“We have been feeling that in recent times we certainly have not had enough cricket played here so these three games is a boost for us. It is also difficult to ask people to make investment and yet no cricket is being played,” Harris said.

The ICC World Twenty20 (T20) champions West Indies will host two of the world’s powerhouses — India and Sri Lanka — in the 50-overs format from June to July 2013 in a seven-match challenge.

The battles are expected to be keen and fierce with India being the 50-overs World Cup title-holders and Sri Lanka, the losing finalists in previous editions of the T20 and ODI Championships.

Each team will play the other twice with matches slated for Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica and Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.

The series is scheduled to start with the regional side facing India on June 28 in the first of three matches to be played in Kingston. The final is set for Port of Spain on July 11 between the teams with most points after the six preliminary matches.

The Tri-Nation series is expected to attract loads of interest from outside the Caribbean, particularly in cricket-mad India, which is notorious for its heavy financial influence on the sport.

Harris said the JCA and its partners are looking to “maximise on the benefits” from hosting the matches.

“It is up to us and other involved parties to now maximise on the benefits from this. It has to be a success. We need to bring out the full house at the venue. These things are important and are what will determine or contribute to future decisions,” he said.

When asked if the local association has been doing anything different to squeeze a favourable response from the WICB, Harris emphasised the general improvement in relations amongst the regional cricket hierarchy.

“I’m not sure if we are doing anything different. What I know is that the mission of the JCA is clear to the WICB. Also, there has been strengthening of understanding between the WICB and its members, including the JCA,” he reasoned.

No doubt working in the JCA’s favour is that the Tri-Nations is part of a busy 2013 schedule, which also sees Zimbabwe and Pakistan touring the Caribbean.