As anticipation builds for Wednesday’s opening One-Day International between West Indies and Sri Lanka at Kingston’s iconic Sabina Park, Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) President Dr. Donovan Bennett has flagged a troubling issue: underwhelming ticket sales for the three-match 50-over series, even as final preparations for the long-awaited fixture wrap up. This series marks a historic milestone for Kingston cricket, bringing ODI action back to the city for the first time since West Indies hosted Ireland in 2022, and welcoming Sri Lanka to Jamaican soil for the first time in more than a decade – the visitors last competed here back in 2013, during a tri-nation tournament with West Indies and India. In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, Bennett shared that logistical preparations for this series have gone far more smoothly than last summer’s hosting of Australia, which required a major venue overhaul. Back then, with financial and logistical support from both the Jamaican and Indian governments, the JCA was forced to rush to install new floodlights, a digital electronic scoreboard, and upgrade the player dressing rooms ahead of the series. This time around, only one minor setback disrupted preparations. “The only little hiccup we had was that the lights were blown out of focus during the passage of the hurricane but we have refocused those — those were done last week. Otherwise, we’re pretty good,” Bennett explained, confirming that the venue is now fully prepared to welcome players and fans. While Bennett says he is encouraged by strong early ticket demand for the three-match T20 International series scheduled to follow the ODIs next week, low sales for the 50-over opener – just one day out from the first ball – remains a major point of concern. He noted that ticketing campaigns launched by Cricket West Indies (CWI) got off the ground later than he would have liked, leading to the slow start in purchases. “I have been pleading and trying to get CWI to get this thing going a little bit quicker, but the sales have gone up a little bit late,” he said. “I would hope that over the next two days there will be a rush, because I am not satisfied with what I am hearing re the 50 over games.” To keep Jamaica positioned as a preferred host for future top-tier international cricket events, Bennett is making a direct appeal to local cricket fans to turn out in force for the series. He stressed that fan attendance is a critical factor that international cricket governing bodies consider when allocating future matches to host venues. “The public needs to understand that the JCA has a part to play in bringing international cricket to Jamaica but the cricketing public also has a part to play because if we don’t get crowds then we don’t get matches — so they need to turn out,” he said. With high-profile Test and ODI series against India and England scheduled to visit the Caribbean next year, Bennett urged fans to act now to secure the island’s spot as a regular host. “And especially next year, when we have both India and England coming to the Caribbean, they need to strengthen our hands by coming out and giving us good support.” Sabina Park has established a strong track record as an international host over the past two years, welcoming sell-out and well-attended series between West Indies and top ranked sides including South Africa, Bangladesh and Australia. Both the West Indies and Sri Lanka squads have already arrived in Kingston and are set to hold their final practice sessions at the venue on Tuesday, ahead of the 9:30 a.m. first ball on Wednesday.