4B. SUNDAY SUN Sport 4 AUGUST 4, 2013 CPL beyond expectations

WERE INEVITABLE QUESTIONS hanging over the Premier League (CPL) when Julian Hunte, then West Indies Board (WICB) president, announced last year that it was selling its annual tournament to Verus International, a wealth management organization based in New York and . The extravaganza that the newest, and shortest, form of the game has become on every point on cricket’s map began in Barbados and 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 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 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 quite as it is such a cosmopolitan mix of cultures as in and . (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 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 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 , 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 whether the idea could attract sponsors or gain the Red Steel against the 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, , 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 ’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 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’ , St Lucia Zouks’ 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 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 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. Here is how Khan put it then: “Since we Mathurin, was also full of import. As he threw the ball money in the pockets of its players the way the launched the Caribbean Premier League in into the air on completion of the catch and the win, a board currently cannot; and into its own hardly with the WICB, we have been focused on full house erupted, joining him in celebration. brimming coffers. attracting major strategic partners who will help build One of the sub-plots to that first match was the fact a world-class tournament that stimulates the local that Pollard, a Trinidadian, had been the choice to lead Fresh boost economies of the Caribbean. the Barbados franchise in preference to hometown “I am delighted that my close partners at Digicel favourite Smith; a decision that even prompted a street A bright and prosperous CPL can also distract have shared so passionately the vision I have for the protest. So Pollard leading his side to the first win of for at least a month from the grim times still development of cricket and the unequalled opportunity the CPL and to do so after being one of the chief engulfing the international side. The high of last that is provided by this tournament for the entire contributors with bat, ball and in the field, was in itself year’s World Twenty20 triumph has worn off now. Caribbean region. I look forward to working with the a public relations triumph. West Indies cricket is in search of a fresh boost, for the WICB and Digicel to accomplish these goals." The following night’s win for Amazon Warriors at just concluded season of international cricket has not Such generosity from Khan to allow his baby, so to their Guyana home base in Providence was another proved to be one of good cheer. speak, to be taken over is curious and has not to this decent spectacle with the right outcome for the locals. While the year began with the predictable sweeps of point been publicly explained. But corporate interest in Here again, the CPL leaders had reason to smile with rehabilitating Zimbabwe in their Test and ODI series, the venture has grown somewhat. deep and real satisfaction. the season at home has ended with solid beatings by Guyana-based New GPC’s Limacol brand is now India and Sri Lanka that eliminated West Indies from the title sponsor of the league. New GPC also owns Star of the night the final of the tri-nation ODI series, and dominance Amazon Warriors and other franchises have by Pakistan 3-1 in another one-day series; to add to the also been bought. Though he was on the losing side with the Trinidad injury, a 2-0 shutout in the T20s followed. Interests from Pakistan control the St Lucia Zouks. and Tobago Red Steel, Nicolas Pooran, only 17, and the There was no consolation at the end of six hectic That deal was completed only just before the baby of this series, was the star of the night, although months that also included Duckworth-Lewis tournament began. Four days earlier, it was announced not Player Of The Match. elimination at the group stage from the that Europe-based mobile-network operator With just four 50-over games for Trinidad and Champions Trophy. Lycamobile had purchased the Red Steel franchise. Tobago this year to recommend him, the unheralded Along, however, has come the CPL. Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg has been sold an left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman gave momentum From a playing standpoint, it at least offers the equity stake in the Barbados Tridents. and hope to a side struggling for both when he chance over time for regional players to pick up some However, no buyers have as yet been announced for went to the crease. He landed six sixes for Trinidad, finer points from the international members of their the Antigua and teams. That must make the without a slog. franchises. That is one of coach Ottis Gibson’s big CPL principals a tad uneasy. It was an innings that brought genuine admiration hopes. He would be glad if players coming to him in They really need the product – the cricket – to sell from seasoned watchers. Even the Guyanese fans future don’t struggle so mightily to turn over the strike itself for this Caribbean party to go the distance. would have enjoyed the exhibition of clean, calm and are better able to play smarter in tight situations. So far, the signs are promising. strokeplay by a mere boy. Their team still won, and However, the CPL, T20 cricket that it is, will not in their captain, , with his late itself develop the West Indies Test match stars •Garth Wattley is cricket correspondent flurry at the end of his team’s innings, came to the of the future. It can, however, give the board the at the Trinidad Express.