Former Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron says that, while he has no immediate interest in returning to lead the regional governing body, he will not rule out the possibility.

And, were to make a comeback, he suggested a compensation package would have to be tied into any arrangement.

“I have no plan to return to the JCA Jamaica Cricket Association or to West Indies cricket,” he said after Wednesday’s press launch at Melbourne Cricket Club which was organised by United States-based Cricket Hall of Fame to honour his contribution to the sport.

“However, I love the sport. I love the opportunities that it has afforded me and other persons. So if I was asked to step up I can’t say that I would say ‘no’ at this point in time. However, I must say it would have to be under different circumstances.

“I spent 17 years of my life for free. It was a thankless job, [but] at no point in time have I regretted it. But certainly if I were to do it again it would have to be very different,” Cameron said, while declining to delve into specifics.

The Jamaican, a former president of Kensington Cricket Club, was treasurer of the JCA. He was elected head of West Indies cricket in 2013 and served three terms before he lost to current CWI boss Ricky Skerritt in 2019.

While scores of cricketers at the regional level received professional contracts and the West Indies teams had successes on the field during Cameron leadership, there were bitter controversies including damaging quarrels with elite players.

But Cameron maintained he placed emphasis on the structure, rather than players.

“I focused on the organisation — that if we continue to make the organisation strong the organisation will last, as against focusing on any player. Other people felt I should have been worshipping players, and particular players,” he explained.

“People would say I’m not a players’ man, [but] I am for the players. Under Dave Cameron more players had opportunities than at any other time.

“I think now that I’ve been away from the sport for the last couple of years I think more persons have recognised what we were doing then,” he added.

Michael Chambers, the executive director for Cricket Hall of Fame, told the Jamaica Observer that Cameron still has a role to play in regional and global cricket.

“Cameron is the person that has to lead world cricket. I listened to his vision and I’m convinced that the only person in the world right now that can lead ICC [International Cricket Council], lead Cricket West Indies is Dave Cameron,” Chambers said.

Back in 2020 the Cricket Hall of Fame backed Cameron’s intention to become chairman of the ICC. But after Cameron did not get the support of CWI the move fell through.

Barbadian Clyde Walcott — from 1993 to 1997 — is the only West Indian to have served as ICC head.