The Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) gets green light for 20/20 double-header

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau: The doubts surrounding the staging of this weekend's back-to-back international Twenty20 cricket double-header at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium was lifted yesterday after the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) was given the green light by the Trelawny Parish Council (TPC).

"We have worked out the difference that existed and the way is now clear for cricket, lovely cricket, this weekend," Falmouth's Mayor Colin Gager told The Gleaner yesterday.

"We are happy with the final outcome because we did not want to interfere with the staging of this event."

shutting down Trelawny Stadium

During Thursday's monthly meeting of the TPC, Mayor Gager told the council that the JCA did not seek its permission to stage the event, and instructed its technical officers to shut down the Trelawny stadium, effectively ruling out the staging of the game.

However, Mayor Gager did leave the door slightly open to facilitate a possible compromise with the JCA, noting that the council was willing and prepared to accommodate a late application for the staging of the event, describing that action as the proverbial offering of the olive branch to the local cricket authorities.

When The Gleaner contacted Mayor Gager shortly before midday yesterday for an update on the situation, JCA president Paul Campbell was in his office securing the required amusement licence and paying the requisite fee, as per the regulations of the parish council.

"It is now all systems go. We now have the required approval so, as the mayor just said, it will be cricket, lovely cricket, come this weekend," said Campbell.

"We are hoping the fans will come out in their numbers as it should be two days of exciting cricket."

Satisfied that what was threatening to be a contentious issue has now been resolved, Mayor Gager has joined the JCA in encouraging cricket fans to come out and support the game.

"I have every reason to believe it will be two days of exciting cricket so I am calling on all cricket fans in the parish to support this venture," the mayor said. "I don't know if it is too late for me to get a game, but I will most certainly be there supporting it."