The highly-anticipated Dream 11 Jamaica T10 cricket competition is set to commence today at Sabina Park, with two matches.

The opening match is scheduled to start at 11:30 am.

The tournament, hosted by the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) and sponsored by Indian fantasy sports platform Dream 11, will feature the country’s top players competing in a 16-day event.

JCA’s Chief Executive Officer Courtney Francis said that he is eagerly anticipating the start of the competition.

“This is the marquee tournament for Jamaica moving forward as the bases, as a pathway for other tournaments later down the year. I am looking forward to the tournament and a number of players I know too are looking forward to the tournament,” he said during the launch of the competition at Sabina Park on Thursday.

Francis also highlighted the new management structure in place, which will test the leadership skills of team administrators.

“Persons have called me and expressed an interest and one of the things that have excited me is the new management structure that is in place. The persons who are the leaders of the respective teams have themselves seen at cricketers or seen at administrators and now have seen them in a different capacity that they will be tested,” Francis said.

The tournament will feature six local teams: Middlesex Titans, Surrey Kings, Cornwall Warriors, Surrey Royals, Surrey Risers, and Middlesex United Stars. Teams will play each other twice, with two matches daily, culminating in a grand finale featuring the top two teams on January 25.

Surrey Royals are set to tackle Cornwall Warriors in the opening match, while defending champions Surrey Kings are set to play Middlesex United Stars in the second at 2:00 pm.

Organisers said the tournament will be broadcast live to millions of homes in India and the Asian subcontinent.

As for the prizes, each player will receive a stipend to participate, with prize money awarded to the top teams. The winner will earn $600,000; the runners-up $300,000; third and fourth place teams will get $50,000 and $25,000 respectively.

Francis also emphasised the importance of rivalry and camaraderie among players, noting that this tournament provides a unique opportunity for players to compete against each other at the start of the season.

“I am looking forward to the rivalry. This is the only time all the players will be within a space that is so close at the start of the season. The rivalry is going to be good. The mounting for each other is going to be good,” he noted.

Francis wished the teams and players all the best, expressing his excitement for the tournament. “I am looking forward to an injury-free tournament. Again, I wish you all the best. I am looking forward to the tournament. I am really excited about it at the start of the 2025 season.”

— Ruddy Allen