Jamaica Cricket Association launches 6-team T10 Blast

The Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) have partnered with title sponsors Dream11 to launch the Jamaican T20 Blast competition.

The tournament will consist of six teams, and a total of 33 matches will be played, with Middlesex Titans and Surrey Kings kickstarting the battle in the first game of the double-header at the iconic Sabina Park.

The second game will see Cornwall Warriors lock horns with Surrey Risers.

A plethora of West Indian players are set to feature in the T10 Blast. Test opener and Jamaica Scorpions skipper John Campbell will lead the Middlesex United Stars, and he will have the likes of Alwyn Williams and off-spinner Damani Sewell for company.

Jermaine Blackwood, the bedrock of the West Indian middle-order in Test match cricket, will spearhead the Surrey Kings. They will also have the services of blistering opener Kennar Lewis and batsman Andre McCarthy.

Brandon King, one of the leading batsmen in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in recent seasons, will lead the Surrey Royals and have the likes of Nicholson Gordon and rookie opener Leroy Lugg in their ranks. 

Former West Indies international Krishmar Santokie will lead Middlesex Titans, while the Cornwall Warriors will have the likes of Paul Palmer Jr, Derval Green and Marquino Mindley leading the charge.

Chadwick Walton will take over the leadership duties of the Risers, which also has fast bowlers Sheldon Cottrell and Oshane Thomas in their ranks.

Speaking on the launch of the T10 tournament, Jamaica Cricket Association CEO Courtney Francis said, “Cricket is back, and it is very important for us at the JCA to restart. We tried to have this tournament last year, but due to the pandemic, we had to reschedule,"

Now that we have gotten the go-ahead, we are using this competition to kickstart our white-ball programme. We will be having our 50-over tournament right after this competition,” he said as quoted by jamaica-gleaner.com.

The winner of the inaugural T10 Blast will be handed a cash prize of US$4,000, while the runner-up will walk away with a prize of US$2000. The spectators have been allowed free entry at the George Headley Stand at Sabina Park, and the matches can be streamed live on JCA social media platforms.