JAMAICA'S NEW technical director of cricket, Jimmy Adams, has described Jamaica Cricket Association's (JCA) semi-professional leagues as "watered-down".

In his address to players, administrators and fans at the JCA's annual awards ceremony on Wednesday night at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston, Adams spoke his mind.

He said the present leagues, especially with the number of teams, were "watered-down" and called for another league where the best could play against the best.

"I am all for participation but, I also need competitive cricket to develop the young players of the future," said Adams, a former West Indies captain.

"It is my belief that the basic structure of the game in Jamaica is, for the most part, workable, but what is beyond doubt is that the standards within these structures are not," he said.

Challenging

Adams, who took over as technical director on December 1, said he was ready to begin the process to address these areas, but added it was going to be "challenging".

The aim, he said, "is to develop a player who we can present on the international stage, who is nowhere inferior to any player anywhere in the world, a player who, both on and off the field, will be able to stand up to intense scrutiny.

"As technical director, I see a need for us to expand the mindset (of players) which seems to suggest that if Jamaica can win a few trophies every year at various levels then all is well, but the international market place is reminding us every day that all is not well.

"What we are producing here, in our country and island, is not cutting it despite having a young player who is no less talented than a similar player anywhere else in the world."

First area

Adams, who played 54 Test matches for the West Indies between 1992 and 2001, has already identified the first area to tackle.

"We need to lift the standard of coaches at all levels because it immediately impacts on the players we produce," he said.

He made reference to the parents who seek the best teachers and schools for their children.

"Cricket is no different," he said. "You will get better players with better coaches."

Again, he stressed the need for a more-competitive league.

"We also have to look at raising the level of competitiveness for our players at all levels. The structure here in Jamaica needs to be re-examined to make sure our players get the highest level of competition possible.

"We can provide the best coaches, but if that player comes through a system that is lacking competition, I can guarantee you that if you match him against a similar player, similar age, less technically gifted, but who has come through an extremely competitive system, there can only be one result," Adams said.