Nevis Cricket Association Releases Official Statement

The Nevis Cricket Association (NCA) has announced a temporary halt to all matches in its ongoing T20 competition, effective June 13, 2025. This decision stems from a confluence of significant cricketing events scheduled to take place in Nevis in the coming weeks, creating logistical and resource management challenges for the NCA. The suspension aims to allow the NCA to dedicate its full attention and resources to ensuring the successful execution of these events, which are deemed crucial for the development and promotion of cricket in Nevis. While the resumption date for the T20 competition remains undetermined, the NCA has emphasized its commitment to completing the league once the current scheduling conflicts are resolved.

The immediate catalyst for the suspension is the Republic Bank 5 for Fun event, slated for June 14th at the ETW Park. This event requires significant organizational effort and resources from the NCA, making it difficult to simultaneously manage the T20 league matches. Following this event, the NCA will transition into hosting the Leeward Islands U19 boys’ cricket camp from June 21st to 29th. This camp represents a vital development opportunity for young cricketers in the Leeward Islands and demands dedicated attention from the NCA to ensure its smooth operation. The NCA’s responsibilities extend beyond the boys’ program, as they will also host the Leeward Islands U19 girls’ camp from June 29th to July 5th, further intensifying the workload and necessitating the pause in the T20 competition.

A major contributing factor to the suspension is the upcoming West Indies U19 tournament, scheduled to take place from July 3rd to 24th. Nevis will be hosting eight matches in this prestigious tournament, further straining the NCA’s resources and requiring extensive preparation. To ensure the venue is in optimal condition for these high-profile matches, ETW Park will undergo essential upgrades and will be closed to the public during this period. This closure directly impacts the feasibility of continuing the T20 league as scheduled, as ETW Park is a primary venue for the competition. The convergence of these events within a short timeframe has created an unavoidable scheduling conflict, prompting the NCA to prioritize the successful execution of these significant cricketing programs over the immediate continuation of the T20 league.

The NCA recognizes the disruption caused by the suspension of the T20 competition and has expressed its appreciation for the understanding and support of the players, teams, and fans. The decision, while challenging, is viewed as essential for the long-term development of cricket in Nevis. Securing the hosting rights for the West Indies U19 tournament is a significant achievement for Nevis and is seen as a testament to the NCA’s commitment to promoting the sport. The NCA believes that successfully hosting this tournament can pave the way for future opportunities to host regional and international cricket matches, including women’s matches, as well as potentially restoring Nevis as a venue for regional male First Class and One Day matches.

The successful execution of these upcoming events is of paramount importance to the NCA, not just for the immediate development of young cricketers and the showcasing of Nevisian cricketing talent, but also for establishing the island as a reliable and capable host for future high-profile tournaments. The experience gained from managing these events, particularly the West Indies U19 tournament, will be invaluable in strengthening the NCA’s capacity to organize and execute large-scale cricket events. This experience will be leveraged to advocate for more regional matches to be held in Nevis, contributing to the growth and development of cricket in the region.

The NCA is committed to resuming the T20 competition as soon as the schedule allows, balancing the needs of the local league with the demands of hosting these significant regional and international cricket events. The current suspension is a temporary measure designed to ensure that Nevis can successfully deliver these important programs, ultimately benefiting the long-term development of cricket on the island. While acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the suspension, the NCA is confident that this strategic decision will ultimately serve the best interests of the Nevisian cricketing community and contribute to the broader growth of the sport in the region.