Jamaica and USA forge closer links

After more than a year of reports of more concrete links between the USA and the Caribbean being established, the city of Lauderhill in Florida has announced a deal with Falmouth in Jamaica to use the newly-constructed stadium in Trelawny to promote cricket in Jamaica and the USA.

The partnership was launched with a match between a USA Invitational XI and the Jamaican national team on September 30, which the Jamaica side won by 36 runs.

The purpose-built venue was initially intended to form the basis of a plan for the USA to host matches in the World Cup, but that fell through for a number of reasons, and the ICC's poor relationship with the USA Cricket Association cannot have helped.

Lauderhill, sometimes referred to as Jamaica Hill, boasts the largest Jamaican population in Florida.

The ground is the second major purpose-built cricket venue in Florida. Broward County Regional Park has already hosted matches played under the Major League Cricket banner.