JAMAICA Cricket Association President Dr Donovan Bennett believes the Jamaica Kingsmen have already made a strong impression on the island is optimistic they can play a key role in developing grassroots cricket locally.

The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) returned to Sabina Park for the first time since 2019 as the new Jamaica franchise hosted four games which concluded last Tuesday.

Tens of thousands of Jamaicans turned out for the four matches against the Barbados Tridents, Trinbago Knight Riders, Guyana Amazon Warriors and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots with some of the Caribbean’s top players on display including the Kingsmen’s own Rovman Powell and Andre Russell as well as regional stars Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmeyer and Sunil Narine.

It continued the trend of growing crowd interest shown by local fans following last summer’s series between the West Indies and Australia, as well as Sri Lanka’s visit in June.

Bennett believes the Kingsmen’s home leg is a good reflection of the state of cricket in Jamaica.

Captain Rovman Powell (left) and Andre Russell of Jamaica Kingsmen knock bats during the Caribbean Premier League match against Trinbago Knight Riders at Sabina Park on August 15, 2026. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

“I have heard many persons who are or were cricket fans saying that cricket is dead in Jamaica but what both the Sri Lanka tour and the CPL that followed have clearly said is that cricket is not dead in Jamaica,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“In fact, cricket is still one of the most popular sports in the country and that as long as the people are fed the right diet, they get what they want to see, they will come out and support us and it was clear to everybody from the crowds. It was a fantastic atmosphere, not just the numbers, but the participation because the crowds were a behind the team with almost every ball that was bowled. It was really something electric and really a pleasure to sit and observe.”

Although pleased with action on the pitch, Bennett says he was impressed by the Kingsmen’s early investment in youth cricket.

The team’s ownership sponsored the All-Grace Shield and All-Headley Cup exhibitions tournament in July, which saw some of the best high school cricketers from the urban and rural areas go head to head in a 50 over match and a T20 match over two days. The
Observer understands the Kingsmen handed over $3.1 million to the JCA to execute the matches.

BENNETT… what both the Sri Lanka tour and the CPL that followed have clearly said is that cricket is not dead in Jamaica

“As I made a presentation to them, it was a yes and I can tell you, the amount that was literally given to us for the two games is a significant amount of money which comfortably put both games on,” Bennett said. “I think it is something that should encourage the schools to participate on a wider basis and for players to have something substantive to look forward to at the end of the season. It should be the responsibility of ISSA but in a situation where ISSA does not have an interest, then I think the JCA has got to take up the responsibility and get those games on a yearly basis.”

While happy with the progress the Kingsmen have made, Bennett wants them to do more to help develop the next generation of Jamaican cricketers.

“As soon as the CPL is concluded, hopefully we can sit down with the Kingsmen to discuss other development programmes because I am not one of those who sees development from above downwards. I think that is one of the problems with West Indies Cricket over the years is that a lot of money has been spent at the top and very little at the bottom,” he said.

“We have had initial discussions, we haven’t had any decisions as yet. But certainly things like our under-13 programme has got to be put on the table because we really want to do an extended, comprehensive under-13 programme. Every year, we need to have an Under-13 Jamaica team and then from that, we need to extract the best players out of that group every year and put them into a specialised, continuous programme so that in a couple of years’ time, we can have a large cadre of players who, from an early age, have been taught the right things, the right attitudes and also the seriousness at which they should take the cricket, both representing Jamaica and the West Indies.”

The Kingsmen, who have four games remaining in the league stage, are currently just outside the play-off spot in fifth on four points. They return to action on Thursday against the Patriots at Warner Park in St Kitts.

Jamaica Kingsmen bowler Vitel Lawes celebrates the dismissal of St Kitts and Nevis Patriots player Nikhill Chaudhary during the Caribbean Premier League match at Sabina Park on August 18, 2026. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)