Cricket is back in Jamaica, but where are the fans?

If you ask the average person if they knew international cricket was back in Jamaica, they may tell you that they weren’t aware.

After a long, painful absence, international cricket is back on Jamaican soil, with three One-Day Internationals (ODI) and three T20s scheduled across the island. But the homecoming has been met with a curiously muted response.

According to Cricket West Indies, the first ODI saw just 2,000 persons scanned through the gates, with a mere 500-600 tickets actually sold. The numbers raised eyebrows among lifelong followers of the game. And, by the second ODI, rain had become the only unwanted visitor.

Yet, for those who braved the elements, the return of cricket was nothing short of a homecoming for the soul.

“It’s a wonderful feeling to have cricket at the great Sabina Park,” said former West Indies wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jr, standing unfazed under grey skies.

“It’s always a pleasure to come here and watch. There’s a lot of motivation when you are here. Just feeling the ambience of being at Sabina Park is very great.”

Baugh Jr, like many former players, sees Jamaica as sacred ground. “Jamaica is like a Mecca of cricket. The great George Headley, Christopher Henry Gayle, just to name a few. Cricket in Jamaica is always the best thing. It helps the people to get together.”

That sentiment was echoed by Andre Bucknor, another fan who turned up despite the drizzle on match day two.

“It’s an absolutely wonderful feeling, seeing cricket back in Jamaica. That’s how it should be,” Bucknor said. 

“I would love to see cricket more often in Jamaica, because the vibe, the energy is always here. The crowd, we’re rallying around the boys expecting them to win.”

When asked what formats Jamaica should host, Bucknor was emphatic: “A mixture of the formats would be good. If it’s even a Test match, we come out for five days and support the West Indies.”

But not everyone is convinced the public has been given a fair chance to respond. Shani Lawrence, a passionate fan at the second ODI, struck a more critical tone.

“I love cricket, and I don’t know why more people don’t come out and support the team,” Lawrence said. 

“Yeah, they haven’t been doing so well, but cricket is a foundation here and we need to come out and support the guys.”

Lawrence saved her sharpest words for the organisers. “I think they need to market it more. A lot of people don’t even know that a match was happening today. They didn’t even know there was a series. They need to do proper marketing.”

It is a sobering note amid the celebration. Cricket is back in Jamaica but, for it to truly thrive, the buzz may need to start long before the first ball is bowled.