The Jamaicans were probably just about favourites to record their 2020 win over the Trinis, bu rain had the last word in Port of Spain. Photo: WICB

The Opening Ceremony was an extravaganza of Caribbean Colour and excitement. Photo: WICB

The Caribbean T20 had an anti-climatic start as rain prevented a result in the opening fixture between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) at Queen's Park Oval. After T&T played their entire innings, Jamaica batted only 1.2 overs before the players had to go off. The teams earned two points each.

T&T had found batting tough after they won the toss. They lost early wickets, were 39 for 3 and reached 50 only in 8.5 overs. Dwayne Bravo, who made 30, was the only batsman to score more than 20. T&T had progressed to 87 for 3 but then lost Denesh Ramdin and Bravo in the space of two runs, after which they slumped to 128 for 9 in 20 overs. Krishmar Santokie and David Bernard took two wickets each for Jamaica.

Jamaica were 4 for 0 in their chase before the game was washed out.

Newly appointed West Indies Cricket Board chief Michael Muirhead on Sunday hailed the regional governing body’s role in the Caribbean Twenty20 as the tournament bowled off here with fanfare.

Speaking at the opening ceremony at Queen’s Park Oval, Muirhead said the WICB had spared no cost in ensuring the tournament would be the huge success it had been since its inception three years ago. “The WICB has invested heavily in this tournament, particularly in the television broadcast, to ensure fans throughout the Caribbean and other parts of the world can see, live and in living colour the tremendous talent which is in our region,” said Muirhead, who replaced Ernest Hilaire last September.

“We are not lacking or wanting for talent in the Caribbean. The evidence vindicates this statement. In the next two weeks here in Trinidad and in St Lucia, we will have some of the finest players in the world competing in this tournament, entertaining us and showcasing the most exciting brand of cricket anywhere.”

The tournament, the fourth to be staged, will run until January 20 and will be jointly hosted by Trinidad and St Lucia.

Preliminary round fixtures will be hosted at Queen’s Park Oval until January 12 when action will shift to the Beausejour Cricket Stadium for the remainder of the round-robin phase and the playoffs and final.

Sports Minister Anil Roberts said the country was thrilled to be hosting the showpiece, the region’s premier T20 competition.“We are delighted to welcome everyone to Trinidad for the Caribbean T20,” he said.“The crowd will be loud in support of the Red Force (T&T), but we will also support all the teams because we all love cricket in the region.”

The crowd was entertained by top local soca stars Kes, Rikki Jai and Chucky Gordon, along with a cultural presentation from Dance Theatre.

The Leewards start their campaign this afternoon January 7, 2013 against Barbados at 4 P.M., which is followed by the CCC team taking on Guyana at 8 P.M.