Night cricket at Jarrett Park tomorrow - St James, St Mary Masters in Twenty20 showdown

Adrian Frater, News Editor

WESTERN BUREAU:

While Jamaica is not able to host international cricket at nights because of the absence of facilities with suitable floodlights, cricket fans are now enjoying that rare novelty, albeit of the 'curry goat' variety.

Come tomorrow night, the St James Masters team will be hosting their St Mary counterparts under lights at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay, in a Twenty20 matchup, starting at 6 p.m.

"We believe that this is one way we can reignite interest in St James' cricket," said former St James fast bowler and current parish coach, Chester Sterling. "Cricket under lights is a novelty in these parts, so it could be a big source of inspiration to youngsters who have an interest in the game."

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, St James was one of the dominant parishes in national cricket. However, on account of inept leadership - which has eroded the structure that once facilitated a vibrant domestic league - the parish has all but fallen off the national radar.

Sunday night's game should be a nostalgic affair as many of the stars of the 1980s and 1990s will be on show and, according to Sterling, many of the former stars are planning to roll back the clock.

"We are a team that trains all year round, so most of the players are in reasonably good nick," said Sterling. "As you know, we have a number of former national players in our team."

The St James team is expected to feature the likes of former national player Everton Coach, his brother Lindley Coach, Hezekiah Lawson, Heroy Clarke, Visguy Henry and Sterling, among other former stars.

Visiting team

While not much is known about the visiting team, with bragging rights at stake, the men from St Mary will be gunning to sparkle in the tourist capital.

"This is the best way to sell the game because this represents good, clean entertainment for the entire family," said Jerry Reid, another former St James cricket stalwart. "I am urging the fans to come out and take along their children."