After Sabina Park hosted a Test match for the first time in three years, Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) President Dr Donovan Bennett says there will be a significant increase to the number of international matches being played at the Kingston-based venue going forward.

Jamaicans were able to witness the West Indies team’s second Test against Bangladesh over a week ago in Kingston, after not being able to watch the longest format since the Windies hosted Pakistan in 2021.

Despite losing most of the first day’s play due to rain, the Test was wrapped up in four days as Bangladesh tied the series 1-1 with a 101-run win.

Dr Bennett told the Jamaica Observer that he was pleased to see the return of Test cricket and believes the JCA did well in handling hosting duties.

“The turnout was what we expected, we had a decent size crowd on the Sunday but the other days were, I wouldn’t say disappointing, but expectedly low. As far as the wicket was concerned, it was a good cricket wicket; it offered something to the bowlers and you could make runs on it. The outfield was affected by the amount of rains we had so it wasn’t what it should have been but so far, we haven’t had the ICC report as yet but everything is looking positive,” he said.

Sabina Park hosted no international game in 2023 but after Bennett was elected president in April, the Caribbean men have now played four international matches including three Twenty20 Internationals against South Africa last May.

Powerhouses Australia are set to tour the Caribbean in the middle of 2025, with the highlight being a three-Test series. Sabina Park is likely to host one Test match as well as two T20 Internationals.

Although admitting it will be a challenge, Dr Bennett says they will make every effort to maintain and improve Sabina Park for future matches.

“Sabina Park is the only stadium in the Caribbean that the Government doesn’t maintain, all the others are government-owned and maintained by the Government. We have a situation where the JCA is burdened with the responsibility of upkeeping the park,” he said.

“But having said that, Australia comes here in June and July, so by the time that comes around we should have a proper scoreboard in place because the Indian Government has gifted us a scoreboard and we’ll have all the lights repaired and up and running. We’re working on the park; there’s a lot to be done but we have started work on the park that will go into the next year.”

The Government has received criticism for the seemingly lack of support of cricket, due to failing to submit a bid for last summer’s T20 World Cup as well as the departure of the Jamaica Tallawahs franchise in the Caribbean Premier League.

While he’s to hold discussions with Sports Minister Olivia Grange, Dr Bennett says the JCA’s relationship with the Sports Ministry is improving.

“We have been getting some support. I’m still to meet with her [Minister Grange], she promised me a date and I haven’t heard from her as yet but we’re having support from the Sports Development Foundation and the Institute of Sports, so we’re off to a good start,” said Dr Bennett.

He also credited Cricket West Indies President (CWI) Dr Kishore Shallow for his role in bringing international cricket back to Jamaica.

“He’s been very supportive of Jamaica. He was very instrumental in having the game here. We hadn’t had a Test match since 2021 but going forward you’re going to see a lot more cricket being played here, I can assure you of that.”