Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) first Vice-President Dr Donovan Bennett has confirmed whispers in some circles that he will challenge the incumbent boss Wilford “Billy” Heaven at the JCA election which is expected to be held next year.

“I’m going to offer myself for the presidency. So, whenever the next election is called I’m going to contest it,” Bennett, who is the chairman of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) medical panel, told the Jamaica Observer.

“The JCA needs somebody who understands the game of cricket, who knows the game of cricket and who is able to move things forward,” he said.

Citing Jamaica’s decline as a cricketing force in the region, Bennett charged that under Heaven’s tenure there has been a fractured link between club and parish associations and the local governing body.

“The general relationship between the clubs or parishes and the JCA has broken down. The clubs and parishes have no confidence in the JCA.

“There is a serious fissure that needs to be fixed because the JCA can only be as successful as the clubs and parishes. My focus would be to repair that and work with the clubs and parishes and see if we can get cricket to where it was about 10 to 15 years ago,” he explained.

Bennett, who is a CWI board director, said fewer teams competing in school cricket has led to a smaller talent pool of potential players being available for selection to national teams at age-group and senior levels.

“Another area would be to stimulate the schools to start playing cricket again because that is where our talent comes from — in every sport in Jamaica whether it be football or track and field or cricket.

“That [the required support] has not been happening and the number of schools playing cricket has significantly declined over the past 10 years. So, we have to find a way, we have to get sponsors, we have to make it possible for schools to start playing cricket again. One of the major concerns is that schools just can’t afford it, so we just have to find a way,” he added.

“If we can fix those two things then [Jamaica’s cricket] will improve. I remember 10 to 15 years ago every year we would have one or two very talented young players breaking into a Jamaica team, but we’re not seeing that anymore and it’s a major concern,” Bennett, whose medical specialty is in sports medicine, reasoned.

Heaven, the chief executive officer of the State-run CHASE Fund and a CWI board director, has been boss since of Jamaica’s cricket for the past 10 years.

After defeating Milton Henry for the presidency in 2013, he turned back the challenges of Fritz Harris in 2016 and Mark Neita in 2019. He was returned unopposed in 2021.

Heaven has been criticised as the head of the association during lean spells on the field, particularly in the regional four-day competition, which a Jamaica team has not won for just over a decade.

Though he had said he would step aside at the end of the current term, Heaven recently indicated a change of heart, declaring he has “unfinished business”.

The Observer tried, without success, to get a comment from Heaven on Thursday.

Bennett, who said he has communicated to Heaven his intention to challenge, noted that the backing he has received from stakeholders forced him to throw his hat in the ring.

“Based on what I’m hearing there is overwhelming support. This is not support that I sought, it’s support that I’ve got from people who have been asking me to make myself available.

“I have never really had a serious urge to be president of anything. I just wanted to be involved and to help in whatever way I can. But the voices have been loud out and I think I’m going to see how things work out,” the CWI chief medical officer said.

Bennett said former presidential aspirant Harris, who is the current second vice-president, has indicated he will run on his ticket as first vice-president.

A total of 105 delegates are said to be eligible to vote at the JCA election. The voting delegates are directed by club and parish associations, affiliates, association members and life members.