Cruickshank
The Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) has launched a formal inquiry into allegations of match-fixing and other violations during some of last weekend's final round of matches in the Jamaica Super League (JSL) two-day competition.
The matches were St Catherine Saints versus second-place finishers Melbourne Kangaroos, and Hanover Dolphins versus eventual champions Manchester Lions.
Both ended in relatively short periods with Melbourne registering a come-from-behind outright win in less than a day, with last-place finishers Hanover being dismissed for 16 and 32 in their respective innings, in a losing effort.
"As per usual, match reports have been submitted and based on these reports, the JCA has written a letter to the clubs involved saying that they will be launching an investigation into the games," said JSL competition's director, Oneil Cruickshank.
"The JCA will determine what mechanisms will be used to get the process done. However ... I can't speak as to what the processes will be," he added.
The Melbourne/St Catherine matchup at Chedwin Park saw senior players batting in strange positions and displaying a dispirited approach in what many deemed was a silent protest to a ruling by the JCA, to fine Manchester for using an ineligible player, rather than deducting points for all the matches in which he played, as instructed by the competition's rules.
Manchester, who were fined $300,000, used former national opener Maurice Kepple in six of their championship matches despite him not being properly tranferred on loan - based on the competition's guidelines - from second division team Kensington Cricket Club.
Not bat for miller
In the Melbourne-St Catherine CC matchup, West Indies wicketkeeper-batsman Carlton Baugh Jr and national opener Donovan Pagon batted at numbers 10 and nine, respectively, in Melbourne's first innings, while West Indies spinner Nikita Miller failed to bat.
St Catherine, in the meanwhile, had national captain Tamar Lambert batting at number nine in their first innings, former West Indies pacer Jermaine Lawson bowling spin in the opening spell and national off-spinner Bevon Brown wicketkeeping.
St Catherine made 151 (20.1 overs) and 83, while Melbourne made 146-9 declared and 89-5 after being 55-5 at one stage .
In the Hanover/Manchester matchup at Jarett Park, left-arm seamers Krishmar Santokie claimed 6-9 and pacer Neive McNally 4-6 as the Dolphins were routed in 9.4 overs in their first innings. Manchester then declared their second innings at 68-2 before cruising to victory in a rain-affected match.
"The game is about the spirit and the law and breaching the spirit of the game is equally as dangerous as breaking the laws. Laws can result in immediate remedy via sanctions, but when the spirit of the game is broken, you have a big problem to rectify.
"Spirit calls for respect of opponents and when you don't show it, it can take years to repair and that is why this is such a serious issue," Cruickshank explained.
It is understood that should clubs or players be found in breach of any of the competition's rules, they could be suspended or fined, or both.