CPL Beyond Expectations
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4B. SUNDAY SUN Sport 4 AUGUST 4, 2013 CPL beyond expectations WERE INEVITABLE QUESTIONS hanging over the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) when Julian Hunte, then West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president, announced last year that it was selling its annual Twenty20 tournament to Verus International, a wealth management organization based in New York and Barbados. The extravaganza that the newest, and shortest, form of the game has become on every point on cricket’s map began in Barbados and Guyana during the week. These are early days yet, but several of the initial reservations have diminished, if not disappeared completely. For four years, the WICB had failed to find a sponsor for any of its three major tournaments. Suddenly, they are falling over each other to have their names attached to the CPL – the Limacol Caribbean Premier League to give it its full, sponsored name. It set out with what it called a “full set of commercial partners”, West Indians and internationals. Even after that, another couple have been added. While the virtually non-existent WICB promotion of its regional matches has seen crowds dwindle to three figures, CPL’s marketing campaign has helped fill stands to capacity. We have to go back to Lawrence Rowe’s triple hundred in 1974 and Michael Holding’s over to Geoffrey Boycott in 1981 to find Kensington Oval so jam-packed with West Indians (as opposed to English tourists). Ajmal Khan, Verus’ main man, boasted from the start that it would be “the ultimate cricket carnival”. With the fireworks, the gyrating cheerleaders, the calypsonians and dub artists belting out their hits, and, at Kensington, Mac Fingall and his motley crew performing to the delight of those in the Greenidge And Haynes Stand, that’s what it has been. So too, in their own way, in similar leagues in India, Australia, England and South Africa but not LET’S GO: Mac Fingall whipping up the crowd during the CPL’s opening game between Barbados Tridents quite as it is such a cosmopolitan mix of cultures as in and St Lucia Zouks. (Picture by Kenmore Bynoe.) the West Indies. Competition from Barbados’ long established annual whispers, of match fixing in the Indian Premier victory; US$250 000 goes to the overall champion. Each Crop Over celebrations has made no difference to the League (IPL) and the financial problems of the Man Of The Match gets US$1 000, the longest attendances. Nor has the state of the economies that so Bangladesh equivalent. six US$500, the batsman with the highest run concerns politicians but not, it seems, their constituents More than just eyebrows were raised by a statement rate the same. intent on having a good time. from the Central Bank of Barbados warning (as it put But what about the up and coming cricketers? And what about the cricket? it) that Verus International “was not licensed to engage Ian Chappell is among the many who believe that Test matches they are decidedly not. That is the in merchant banking, or any other activity regulated” too much Twenty20 is spoiling the techniques of young purest form of the game, its foundation, and by the Bank “in or from within Barbados”, adding batsmen. Australia’s particularly. Although Michael cannot be replaced as such. It’s not even the that anyone transacting business with Verus “did so Holding’s aversion to the concept of Twenty20 is so 50-overs an innings variety. at their own risk”. strong he won’t commentate on it, he has agreed to be The prospects of global television coverage also a CPL ambassador. Entertainment package appeared slim. It would, after all, coincide with the high-profile Ashes series in England and India’s Contradiction It is simply part of an entertainment package in ODIs in Zimbabwe. which what happens in the middle is accentuated by If the prospects of staging it in the rainy season did Holding explains what appears to be what’s going on beyond the boundary. There have been not enter the thinking, faltering economies and tiny a contradiction: “The CPL is looking at a development long sixes and power-laden fours to set off the waving populations of the small island states that comprise the programme which they will start rolling out in January of thousands of 6 and 4 cards, one amazing catch by a cricketing Caribbean might have. Still, Khan declared 2014, I understand. They will have about 60 young fielder with bronze-dyed hair, who is usually a keeper, that he would invest “whatever it takes, in the cricketers, ten from each of the six franchise regions, and some tight bowling by spinners. hundreds of millions” to make it work. who they will put on contract and create programmes Also, for the first time, players from other countries Millions – if not hundreds of millions – have been to improve their cricket. are participating in the Caribbean in the same teams invested in establishing the Limacol CPL but not “That is what I am interested in . if we can alongside West Indians. The Indian Premier League by Verus itself. The Irishman Denis O’Brien, head of develop some young cricketers in the Caribbean, and the Big Bash have already shown the benefits of Digicel, is now listed as its owner; Ajmal Khan even if a lot of them are tempted to play Twenty20 such cross-fertilization. as the founder. cricket, then maybe we can still find one or two All this has come against a backdrop that might well Significantly, Digicel, the mobile phone company who are quite happy and even capable of playing have dimmed the enthusiasm of Khan and others and that covers the Caribbean, was formerly title sponsor Test cricket too.” scuppered the project even before it could get off the for West Indies international cricket before Nicholas Pooran, at 17, the CPL’s youngest player, ground. downgrading to just team sponsor early this year, no made an immediate impact with his six sixes in There were bound to be doubts from the start over doubt just when it was involved in the CPL takeover. a 24-ball 54 on Wednesday for the Trinidad and Tobago whether the idea could attract sponsors or gain the Red Steel against the Guyana Amazon Warriors support of governments, public and media so necessary Message is clear (brilliant names, these). for success, especially when it gave itself just nine It makes him one to watch; he might just turn out to months to get things rolling. The message is clear; it sees more value in running be the Test player Holding envisages. But the young Even though Hunte emphasized that the WICB had an event on its own – especially one of such potential Guyanese, Jonathan Foo, then a complete unknown, undertaken due diligence and thoroughly verified – than tied to the WICB. was a similar sensation in the WICB’s Twenty20 a few Verus’ credentials, memories of the WICB’s bitter Even so, the WICB and West Indian players stand to years ago. Remember him? experience with Allen Stanford’s collapsed 20/20 were financially benefit to the overall tune of US$800 000. still strong. Retainer contracts worth US$360 000 are reserved • Tony Cozier is the most experienced cricket The CPL launch coincided with the first for regional players. Teams earn US$25 000 for each writer and broadcaster in the Caribbean. AUGUST 4, 2013 Sport 5 SUNDAY SUN. 5B FLAG PARTY: Supporters cheering on Barbados Tridents during their victory against Antigua Hawksbills CPL something at Kensington Oval on Thursday night. (Picture by Kenmore Bynoe.) to shout about by GARTH WATTLEY party in a way he has rarely done in the Caribbean financial means by which to better fund its own in recent years. development programmes. IT WAS an opening night to savour for Ajmal Khan, Put that together with the attractive runs from The WICB directors have put great faith in the new Damien O’Donohoe, Denis O’Brien and Dave Cameron. Tridents’ Shoaib Malik, St Lucia Zouks’ Andre Fletcher entity to deliver. That faith was placed in Khan and his The founder of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and Darren Sammy, and Pollard’s all-round show, and Verus International company, with whom past its chief executive officer, the Digicel chairman, and the early acts of the CPL have shown the makings of a president Julian Hunte signed the deal last year. the West Indies Cricket Board president saw their big good production – established stars shining, and a new At one tournament event in May, Khan, credited as project take off under the bright lights at Kensington talent striding on stage. the founder of the CPL, stressed that success of the Oval in just the manner desired. The stakeholders will be desperate for the show to venture would be based on partnerships. He said There was drama from ball one, Albie Morkel of the get the thumbs-up from spectators and TV viewers the CPL was not going to be a one-man show. St Lucia Zouks dismissing Dwayne Smith of the home alike. Based on the IPL model, the CPL is supposed to He certainly was right. team, Barbados Tridents. be the money-spinner for Caribbean cricket that the In June, a power shift occurred in the CPL when The game’s final act, Tridents captain Kieron incarcerated Allen Stanford’s 20/20 venture was not. telecommunications outfit Digicel became the majority Pollard taking a return catch to get rid of Garey It is the venture the West Indies board hopes will put shareholder.