Miller worried about cricket’s inactivity
FORMER WEST Indies and Jamaica left-arm orthodox spinner Nikita Miller says local cricketers are starved for the game and has added his voice to the cry for an urgent return to domestic club cricket.
Miller is calling on cricket authorities to act swiftly in getting the local club game, which has not been played in nearly two years, playing again.
He said that the absence of the local game is impacting cricket stakeholders, and that administrators must act now.
“I would a hundred per cent love to see cricket play because we are starved from cricket not being played in the island,” Miller said.
“I understand the situation that we are in now with COVID-19 but I still believe we can get some cricket.
“The SDC competition was being played, it is postponed now, but if SDC cricket can be played, then I believe club cricket should play. So hopefully the powers that be can get some form of cricket going.”
Miller says that inactivity will have an adverse long-term effect on domestic development.
“I run a gear company and things are very stagnant at the moment,” he said. “You can hardly sell gear, so I am deeply affected by it.
“But this can definitely affect us going forward in the long run. National cricket has lost almost two years and we need to find a solution, and we need to find a solution sooner, rather than later.”
The Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) is, however, hoping to stage a T10 tournament from October 10-27, pending government approval.
DOING BEHIND-THESCENES WORK
“We can’t play any cricket without government approval,” JCA Chief Executive Officer Courtney Francis told The Gleaner earlier this week. “So in the meantime, we are doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work. We have sent in our application to the ministry, but we haven’t gotten a response as yet.”
He said although he has heard there are plans in the pipeline to return to action, he will not be comforted until he sees these plans come to fruition.
“I am not involved in the planning of cricket, but whatever needs to be done should be,” he said. “If we need clearance from Government we should get it. SDC got it, so whatever it takes, get us some cricket, as we are starved for cricket.
“A lot of players have moved on elsewhere to America and all over just to play some cricket because they are hungry for cricket.
“I hear they are planning something, so let’s see what it is. It would be long in coming but let’s see what it is.” he said.