The Caribbean Premier League started in flying colors with the Tridents defeating the Guyana Amazon Warriors. The Tridents scored 158 runs for 6 wickets in their 20 overs with captain Kieron Pollard scoring 48 runs from 26 balls. Amazon Warriors fell into early trouble when Lendl Simmons was run out followed by Shivnaine Chanderpaul and West Indies Test captain Denesh Ramdin. Warriors at this stage were 21 runs for 3 wickets. Brad Hodge scored 26 runs from 24 balls.
The Amazon Warriors were bowled out for 109 runs in 18 overs. This game was played at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. Ravi Rampaul picked up 3 wickets for 16 runs, Robin Petersem 3 for 31 and captain Kieron Pollard 2 wickets for 19 runs.
Teams participating in this year’s 2015 Caribbean Premier League are: Barbados Tridents, Jamaica Jallawahs, St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, St Lucia Zouks, Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel and Guyana Amazon Warriors. This competition which began on June 20 ends on July 26, 2015. Some overseas players participating in this year’s CPL are Shahid Afridi, Jacques Kallis, Kevin Pietersen, Jillakaratne Dilshan, Martin Guptill, Shoaib Malik and Daniel Vettori.
CAN WEST INDIES PLAYERS ENHANCE THEIR GAME?
Are there any genuine benefits gained from the Caribbean Premier League? The purpose of hosting such a tournament should not only be for financial gain but to develop the skills of players. Too much emphasis is on Twenty20 and One-Day Internationals regarding West Indies players.
Test cricket should be the main focus and young players must discipline themselves to learn the necessary aspects leading on to the Test arena. There are many shortcomings and weaknesses in almost every area of Test cricket and there is a need for an overall strategy to get West Indies players fully ready for Test cricket. West Indies cricketers need to look at themselves and correct all their flaws. Batsmen and bowlers must be in the competitive mood because Test cricket is all about top class competitiveness.
