MORE money than sense.

Given the social and economic problems that afflict many parts of the Caribbean, that?s an accusation that?s likely been levelled at Allen Stanford as he continues to pour money into cricket by the truck load.

Some have even questioned his motives, but nobody within the sport?s complaining, least of all the players who are licking their lips with anticipation.

Cricket?s never seen anything like it, neither in this region nor anywhere else in the world.

If ever there was a sporting event in which money was the driving force for success, then it?s the Stanford 20/20 tournament in which Bermuda make their debut against Jamaica in Antigua this evening.

Stanford has pumped an incredible $28 million into launching the tournament ? and it?s figures like that which have fuelled players? interest far more than talk of any regional rivalry, whether the players admit it or not.

They?re in this one for the cash, and who could blame them?

Total prize money for the entire tournament amounts to a staggering $7,520,000 ? making it the biggest purse ever provided for any cricket competition worldwide (including the World Cup) and the most lucrative sports competition of any kind held in the Caribbean.

The eventual winners will pick up a cool million dollars, and the runners-up half a million.

Man of the Match on finals night will be $100,000 richer by the time he leaves the field and the cricketer who makes what is being termed as ?Play of the Match? will receive a cheque for $25,000.

Just for entering the tournament, cricket governing bodies in the various islands have been handed $100,000 to help improve domestic facilities along with a $10,000 per month stipend to support the players and coaches.

And the Bermuda players who step out against Jamaica?s star-studded team this evening will be acutely aware that if they can upstage some of their Test heroes, the wads of cash stuffed into their pockets during Cup Match will suddenly seem rather insignificant.

Tonight?s Man of the Match will instantly become $25,000 richer and the ?Play of the Match? will be worth an additional ten grand.

Then, of course, there?s the incentive of playing well enough to be picked for Stanford?s Caribbean All-Star team who later this year will take on the South Africans in a winner-take-all clash for an even more monstrous $5 million.

A fifth generation Texan with strong links to the Caribbean, Antigua in particular, Stanford isn?t everybody?s cup of tea.

Indeed, a recent Wall Street journal article on the CEO of the Stanford Financial Group was sometimes less than complimentary.

But it?s hard to argue with what he?s doing to raise the profile of a sport which in terms of financial reward has always been seen as a poor cousin to the likes of soccer, tennis, golf, baseball or basketball.

Nobody on this side of the globe will begrudge those who take full advantage of Stanford?s generous donation, although there?s no doubt a few cricketers from other Test nations wishing they could get a piece of the action.

For Bermuda, as with most of the other participating islands, it?s a win-win situation.

The competition provides another stepping stone on the road to next year?s World Cup, nobody expects the local boys to beat Jamaica, and if they do the rewards, both financially and in terms of building confidence, will be enormous.

An added bonus is the ?live? TV coverage of every match, offering Irving Romaine and his men chance to showcase their talents to the rest of the region.

If the players can?t get ?up? for tonight?s game, then they?re in the wrong business.