CWI and CPL explore new tournament to foster Caribbean Cricket talent

Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) are reportedly considering the formation of a second regional Twenty20 cricket tournament to complement the existing CPL.

The proposed tournament would focus on nurturing grassroots talent and providing exposure to a wider pool of players for international development.

CWI Vice-President Azim Bassarath, who is also the President of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board, emphasized the need for collaboration between CPL organizers and CWI to bring this concept to fruition. He highlighted the importance of developing and exposing Caribbean talent, benefiting both the CPL and West Indies cricket.

Bassarath stated, “There are discussions going on, and I am quite sure that something has to be done to make sure that the talent we have in the Caribbean is exposed and developed.” He also noted that CPL’s involvement in talent development would contribute to maintaining the high quality of players required for the CPL and West Indies cricket.

Willingness to be part of the solution

The idea for a second T20 tournament gained traction after West Indies’ disappointing campaign at the T20 World Cup in the UAE, where then-captain Kieron Pollard stressed the need for another competition to discover and nurture emerging talents. Pollard expressed concerns about player recycling in the current CPL, calling for discussions on the creation of an additional tournament.

CPL Chief Executive Pete Russell acknowledged the league’s willingness to be part of the solution in developing new talent but emphasized that CWI ultimately holds the responsibility. He stated, “I think if people expect us to be providing the next group of players, yes, we’re going to be part of the solution, but I think that’s probably CWI’s remit, not ours.”

Russell added that planning was underway for the proposed tournament, and the final decision would depend on financial considerations.