Joel Garner backs new competition

Joel Garner, the former West Indies fast bowler and selector, has given his support to the newly formed Western Union Cricket Trophy, of which, it is understood, he will be the patron.

The tournament, which is intended primarily, but not exclusively, for West Indian heritage teams, will replace the now defunct Clive Lloyd Cup competition.

Preliminary rounds will be on a round-robin group basis leading to quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.

The Western Union Cricket Trophy will be launched at the North Middlesex C.C. ground on 8th April 2001. The chairman, Frank David, apologised for the delay in notifying clubs as he has been in the Caribbean with the BWIA Cavaliers. "If by oversight any team has not been notified already - or would like to take part - please contact me on 0208 340 6953. All are welcome".

He is joined on the executive committee by Claire Alexander and Milton McKenzie, whose experience of club and county competition goes back many years.

Garner is popular wherever cricket is played, but particularly in this country, where in addition to touring with the great West Indies teams of the 1980s he played for Somerset at the same time as Viv Richards and Ian Botham.

Mr David expressed his delight that Joel had accepted the invitation and pointed out that several other household names of West Indian cricket had confirmed their willingness to help the club game here. Indeed it is a stipulation of Western Union's sponsorship that the links between clubs and celebrities should be maintained and strengthened.

Mr David added that the prize-money offered compared favourably with not only comparable West Indian heritage competitions but with national tournaments such as that organised by the Evening Standard. Although money was not the most important point in itself, the degree of financial support indicated that West Indian cricket was no longer the "poor relation" of the English game. He was confident that the award-ceremony in the autumn would be held at a prestigious venue.