Former Cricket West Indies director, Baldath Mahabir, has voiced considerations in regards to the rising affect of the US cricket market and its potential impression on the long-term sustainability of cricket within the Caribbean.
Mahabir’s apprehensions come as the US is about to co-host the ICC Males’s Twenty20 World Cup alongside the Caribbean in June, with a major variety of matches scheduled to be performed in American cities resembling Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, and New York.
Mahabir identified that the US possesses a number of benefits that make it a beautiful vacation spot for main cricket tournaments, together with simple journey, trendy stadiums, lodging, transportation, and help providers. He even envisioned a future the place the US and Canada might collectively host main ICC tournaments.
Potential threats to the Caribbean cricket market
He highlighted the upcoming marquee clashes set to happen in the US, resembling India and South Africa enjoying three video games every in New York, as potential threats to the Caribbean cricket market. Mahabir emphasised that whereas some guests could come to the Caribbean for its seashores and cultural sights, the area should improve its cricket product and infrastructure to stay aggressive.
The USA and Canada will open the T20 World Cup on June 1, 2024, marking one of many oldest clashes within the sport’s historical past. India, the world’s top-ranked group, will play all their Group A matches in the US, together with a highly-anticipated conflict in opposition to arch-rivals Pakistan on June 9.
Mahabir expressed concern about Jamaica’s reluctance to bid for internet hosting T20 World Cup matches, given its significance in Caribbean cricket historical past. He advised that the decline of curiosity in cricket, particularly the longer codecs, is perhaps influencing such choices.
Alternative for the nation to shine
Concerning Trinidad and Tobago’s allocation of matches, Mahabir acknowledged the chance for the nation to shine, notably with the Brian Lara Cricket Academy internet hosting 5 matches, together with the Group C contest between hosts West Indies and New Zealand on June 12 and the second semi-final on June 27.
Mahabir remained optimistic in regards to the West Indies’ possibilities within the T20 World Cup, citing T20 cricket as a format the place the group might excel, particularly when enjoying at residence. He emphasised the necessity for revolutionary management and believed that, with success and injury-free gamers, the West Indies had a powerful probability of performing properly within the match.
