As expected, Friday’s confirmation that Jamaica will not host games in next year’s International Cricket Council (ICC) Twenty20 World Cup is making headlines globally.

Put simply, from Mr George Headley — who made his international début in 1930, speedily becoming the first great batter to represent the West Indies — to Mr Chris Gayle, who played his last international game in 2021, Jamaicans have been consistently among the world’s leading cricketers.

In-between Messrs Headley and Gayle have been such giants as Messrs Michael Holding and Courtney Walsh, considered among the greatest fast bowlers, ever; the wizard-like left-arm spinner Mr Alf Valentine; champion batters Messrs Allan Rae, JK Holt, Collie Smith and Lawrence Rowe; and the outstanding wicketkeepers Messrs Franz “Gerry” Alexander, Jackie Hendriks, and Jeffrey Dujon.

Many others, while not excelling for the West Indies to the extent of those mentioned above, carried Jamaica’s flag high over many generations.

Then there is Jamaica’s premier cricket ground, Sabina Park, hailed by the Caribbean Media Corporation on Friday as among “the oldest and most celebrated venues in the region”.

To put it very mildly, Sabina Park’s absence from what Cricket West Indies Chief Executive Officer Mr Johnny Grave described as the “most significant sporting event held in our region for a generation” is hard to swallow.

Earlier this month, after deadlines for bids had come and gone, Jamaica’s Minister of Sport Ms Olivia Grange said the Government was considering bidding for World Cup matches but was contemplating “the tremendous” cost of more than $450 million to bid for and host matches, as well as upgrade infrastructure.

However, such was the silence over a period of months after the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) presented documents in mid-year supporting a proposed bid, we wonder whether the Government ever intended to host.

In fact, JCA Vice-President Dr Donovan Bennett insisted earlier this month that it was “quite obvious” the Government had no such intention.

Said Dr Bennett: “These bids should have been made at the end of June and because no bid came from Jamaica, the JCA asked for an extension. An extension was given to the end of July. Then a further extension was requested… until the end of August …”

This is not just about cricket games. It’s also about upgrading important venues including Sabina Park and the Trelawny Stadium which were modernised and built at great cost — in excess of US$70 million — ahead of the ICC 50-over World Cup in 2007.

If the money to keep stadia modern and relevant couldn’t be found for next year’s World Cup at a time when the Government consistently boasts of the country’s economic recovery since the novel coronavirus pandemic, when will it ever be found?

Hence, Dr Bennett’s question: “…where does cricket go in Jamaica now?” will echo for a long time.

We are also stunned at the failure to seize opportunities for further promotion of Jamaica’s image as a tourist destination, particularly for the cash-rich, fast-growing Indian market.

Such considerations motivated sister Caricom nations Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines to grab the opportunity to be proud hosts of next year’s World Cup.

We believe the Jamaican Government needs to explain itself, fully and precisely.