WE agree with Jamaica Cricket Association President Dr Donovan Bennett that the game of cricket is “not dead” in Jamaica.

In underlining his point Dr Bennett, quite appropriately in our view, cites the recent turnout of large, enthusiastic crowds at Jamaica’s historic headquarters of cricket, Sabina Park, to support the Jamaica Kingsmen in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20 (T20) tournament.

Similar support for the ongoing CPL in other regional territories suggests that Jamaica is not alone. Cricket, more especially the T20 format, remains a sport of choice for many people across the English-speaking Caribbean.

And although spectator support in longer versions such as five-day Test matches and the 50-over format are way down relative to T20s, there remains considerable interest.

However, while cricket “is not dead” there is no doubt that it is in serious trouble, not just in Jamaica but also the wider region. Steadily declining performances by the once-dominant regional team in Test cricket and even in the shorter formats have triggered great distress for close to 30 years.

That’s although there has been occasional reason to smile, such as the recent 1-0 Test series victory over Sri Lanka in the Caribbean. That was followed by a 1-1 series result against Pakistan — also in the Caribbean — which many will see as an under-achievement.

Pakistan — now 0-2 down on a three-Test tour of England — are at the bottom of the current World Test Championship (WTC) table, with West Indies just one place higher.

West Indies will be hoping to win a two-Test series in Bangladesh later this year to end another disappointing WTC cycle on a bright note. Jus
t as a reminder to cricket watchers, Bangladesh pulled off a stunner in Australia last month by convincingly winning the first game of a two-Test series. They ended up finishing 1-1 with their powerful hosts.

That Bangladesh triumph brought back memories of two years ago when West Indies, inspired by Guyanese fast bowler Mr Shamar Joseph, defeated Australia at Brisbane by eight runs. That was the first Test match win for the Caribbean side
over Australia since May 2003.

All of that aside, it’s obvious that there is no quick fix to cricket in the Caribbean. The inadequacy of resources to support what is an extremely expensive sport is largely the source of the problem. It explains the drastic, cost-cutting decision by Cricket West Indies earlier this year to significantly reduce the number of games in the regional four-day tournament.

In Jamaica’s case, Dr Bennett says there is urgent need to invest at youth levels — which would obviously reap benefits in years to come.

Hence his delight that the Jamaica Kingsmen franchise owners sponsored 50-over and T20 games involving Jamaica’s best Under-19 cricketers in July.

Said Dr Bennett: “…I am not one of those who sees development from above downwards. I think that 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.”

It seems to us that local private corporations and Government — hamstrung though it is by economic constraints — need to join in that development push to ensure a brighter future for Jamaica’s and, by extension, West Indies cricket.