JAMAICA Cricket Association (JCA) President Dr Donovan Bennett believes Dr Kishore Shallow’s commitment to the growth of the sport in Jamaica is a testament to his success during his tenure as Cricket West Indies (CWI) president, as he prepares to serve another term.

Shallow, who assumed office in March 2023, was nominated unopposed for a second-consecutive term as CWI boss earlier this month, along with Vice-President Azim Bassarath whose nomination was put forward by the JCA.

Vincentian Shallow, whose new term begins on Saturday, had previously served as CWI’s vice-president from 2019 to 2023, with former President Ricky Skeritt.

Bennett says Shallow continues to have the backing of the respective regional bodies due to the improvements seen administratively as well as the improvements with the West Indies.

“I certainly wouldn’t be a huge supporter of him for personal reasons, it had to be based on the performance in the job. He inherited a very difficult job, we’re in a very difficult financial position, but he has engineered, manoeuvred, and brought us to a certain degree of comfort as far as finances are concerned. Also, we have seen some improvements in the white-ball game, and I’m looking to improvements in the longer versions as well,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Bennett says JCA will maintain a strong relationship with Shallow as he seeks to make Jamaica a powerhouse in regional cricket again.

“Dr Shallow is a very intelligent man. He knows that Jamaica has half of the population of the entire cricket fraternity in the Caribbean so he understands that, based on our population, we need to be encouraged to produce more players,” he said.

“Jamaica could and should be producing more players for the West Indies level, with proper organisation and proper structures in place, so that’s why he’s supporting Jamaica — because he wants to get us back to the stage where we start turning out players again.”

With Shallow set to oversee CWI for another two years, Bennett says he’s hopeful that the growth of the sport will be elevated both locally and regionally.

“I’d want him to continue doing what he’s doing, and to build on the base that he has put there, and move the process forward,” said Bennett.

“As far as Jamaica is concerned, we look forward to his continued support — both to develop the local game… also to put us into a situation where we can have more international games, because that’s a very important part of rebuilding the game in Jamaica.”

During Shallow’s presidency there has been an increase in international games played at Sabina Park, with the Windies hosting South Africa and Bangladesh in 2024 and set to host Australia in July. Jamaica’s Chris Dehring began his role as CWI chief executive officer last month, and Jamaican Andre Coley led the Test team for nearly two years and is expected to lead the ‘A’ team in the coming months.

Following the announcement that he’d serve a second term, Shallow says he plans to make West Indies a force in international cricket.

“Being unopposed for a second term is a strong endorsement of the leadership and direction we have taken at Cricket West Indies. It speaks to the level of confidence in our vision and the progress we have made in stabilising and advancing West Indies cricket,” Shallow said.

“Now, we must build on that progress, staying focused on the task at hand and not allowing ourselves to be distracted from our ultimate goal. We are one in purpose, working together for the betterment of West Indies cricket.”

BENNETT… I’d want him to continue doing what he’s doing and to build on the base that he has put there and move the process forward (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Jamaica women’s cricketers celebrate the fall of a wicket during a T20 Blaze match in St Kitts and Nevis in March 2024. They completed the 2024 regional double, winning the CG United Super50 Cup and the T20 Blaze. (Photo: CWI Media)