Despite failing to secure a fifth term as Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) boss Wilford “Billy” Heaven has stated he is open to the idea of assisting new president Dr Donovan Bennett.

Dr Bennett, who had been the JCA first vice-president since 2013, earned 67 votes to Heaven’s 30 during the election held on April 25 at the Jamaica Conference Centre.

Heaven had been at the helm of the JCA for over a decade. He defeated Milton Henry for the top job in 2013, Fritz Harris in 2016, and Mark Neita in 2019, then returned unopposed in 2021.

Citing his experience and knowledge, Heaven declared he still has much to offer.

“I am for cricket, and he knows my areas of competence, and those areas are strong. It depends on him; it is up to him to ask me and for me to agree, but we wait until that time comes,” Heaven said.

He said during his tenure advancements were made in the areas of governance, including accountability, transparency, and compliance, as well as strides in cricket development in Jamaica. Heaven expressed hope that the new administration will build on that progress.

“We are leaving a strong legacy in our governance, framework, accountability, transparency, and compliance, and we hope that these will continue to be the case at the JCA,” Heaven said.

“We have made strides as well in cricket development. I hope they will take up the baton and really run with it, so to speak, and so that we can build on what we have established there as the foundation for cricket development in Jamaica over the years,” the former cricket boss added.

Despite the wide margin of defeat, Heaven said it was not necessarily reflective of the performance of his administration. He recalled his own substantial win when he first went into office, suggesting that election outcomes can be cyclical and should be respected.

“I don’t think the margin has anything to do with the tenure. Remember when I came into office? I scored a massive [victory], and we didn’t take it to mean anything. We just figured that the voters see things a certain way, and they vote the way they see them. I believe that’s the same case here,” he argued.

“There will always be that disappointment that you serve on the same board as the first vice-president and the second vice-president, and you’re challenged by them. But as I have always said, in a democracy, you should not rule out anything, and in our democracy in sports, it is even more pronounced the things that people will do and say,” Heaven further argued.

Detailing the achievements during his tenure, Heaven mentioned resolving significant financial compliance issues, infrastructure improvements, and the reinstatement of critical competitions. He underscored the adoption of a long-term strategy aimed at achieving sustained success and improvements in Jamaican cricket.

“During my tenure, there were a lot of positive things that we did and a lot of improvements that we made. When we went there, 17 years of back tax were not paid, 17 years of returns were not filed, and we brought that up to speed,” he said.

“There was no Senior Cup being played at the JCA, none whatsoever. And we are now double champions for the [women’s] regional [competitions]; we’re double champions for the [men’s] Under-19 [competitions], and we have some very good youngsters coming up.

“The issue is, and the point is, we have adopted a longer-term strategy from day one, and maybe people were getting impatient about the results, but the results will come and the results will be shown over time. It is just to continue on the foundation that we have laid,” Heaven explained.