Damaging the brand
Damaging the brand . Damaging the brand
The Jamaica Observer
Jamaica Scorpions Captain John Campbell faces an eight-month ban for his role in the double forfeiture in the Regional Super50 final against Barbados in Trinidad recently. (Photo: CWI Media)

After a controversial end to the Regional Super50 recently, president of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Dr Kishore Shallow says Jamaica’s and Barbados’ role in the incident could put a major dent in the tournament’s brand.

No action took place in the final at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad on Saturday, November 23 as the Jamaica Scorpions and Barbados Pride forfeited the final.

The match was initially set for 1:00 pm but rain delayed the start of play. However, after inspection of the field, match officials ruled that play could begin after 6:17 pm and the match would be reduced to 20 overs a side.

Despite that, Jamaica’s captain John Campbell and Barbados’ captain Raymon Reifer failed to show for the 6:00 pm toss and neither team took to the field, which saw both teams forfeiting and no champion being crowned.

For their role in the final no-show, match referee Reon King reportedly charged both captains with a Level Three breach of the Cricket West Indies Code of Conduct. Campbell and Reifer are now facing eight-month bans from CWI’s Disciplinary Committee, which would see them being ruled out of the regional four-day tournament and ultimately ruled out of selection for the West Indies’ men’s team.

Shallow says he was disappointed in the teams’ actions, which could affect what the CWI has built over the years.

“We have to sensitise people and whenever there are opportunities like this, we try to teach people but it could be damaging for the Super50 brand, which is a brand that is already struggling and not really where we want it to be,” he said in an interview with I95.5 FM’s Andre Baptiste.

“When we increased the prize money some time ago, it was to incentivise players to be at their best and to be available for the tournament and to raise the standard and profile of that tournament so, this is really a potential setback,” Shallow added.

The Jamaica Observer understands that the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) is expected to accept the sanctions laid down by CWI with President Dr Donovan Bennett accepting that mistakes were made. However, the Barbados Cricket Association could take legal action but Shallow declined to comment in detail.

“I won’t want to say much on this in the event that this goes down a legal route. It is quite possible so that is why I am trying to reserve my input at this point,” he said.

It was reported that the tournament’s title sponsors, CG United Insurance, could remove their sponsorship going forward but Shallow says CWI acted quickly to prevent that from happening.

“We have been in touch with the sponsors; the main sponsor in this instance. Fortunately, they were there witnessing so they fully understand the situation wasn’t avoidable from Cricket West Indies’ perspective,” he said.

“We have since ensured that we have sort of compensated for whatever damages were done by that incident so they’re quite comfortable and we’re confident we’ll proceed with our fruitful partnership.”

Shallow says the winner’s prize money of US$100,000 and runners-up $50,000 will not go towards next year’s tournament but says an official decision will be made in the coming weeks.

“We have a December Board meeting and we will decide that. It was budgeted. Maybe some of it should go to sensitising players so it won’t be repeated but we’ll see how it goes,” he said.

It was the first time in over 50 years that a limited overs champion wasn’t crowned.
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2024-12-02
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Damaging the brand
Damaging the brand