Caribbean Premier League
What Is The Caribbean Premier League?
The Caribbean Premier League or CPL, is the annual T20 cricket tournament held in the Caribbean. It comprises six teams and the format is a group stage then knock outs.
When Is The Caribbean Premier League Played?
The Caribbean Premier League takes place annually, usually around July and August. The next edition of the CPL will begin on 17th August 2023. It is one of the most popular cricket series that takes place each year.
History Of The Caribbean Premier League
The Caribbean Premier League began in 2013 and replaced The Caribbean Twenty20 as the domestic West Indies tournament. Initially from 2006 this was the privately organised Stanford 20/20 which ended after its sponsor Allen Stanford was arrested and charged with fraud in 2009. The most successful Caribbean Premier League team is the Trinidad Knight Riders who have lifted the trophy on four occasions, shortly followed by Jamaica Tallawahs who have won the Caribbean Premier League three times.
Top Run Scorer In Caribbean Premier League History
West Indies cricket team player Lendl Simmons has the most runs in the history of the Caribbean Premier League, with 2629.
Top Wicket Taker In Caribbean Premier League History
Vastly experienced Trinidad born Dwayne Bravo has taken 124 wickets in the Caribbean Premier League, at the peak of his powers he was regarded as one of the most valuable death bowlers in World T20 cricket with his subtle varieties and slower deliveries.
Memorable Games In The Caribbean Premier League
Fans in St Kitts & Nevis were treated to the record Caribbean Premier League score being broken twice in the same night back in the 2019 edition of the competition. Chris Gayle was at it again, scoring his 22nd T20 ton as his Jamaica Tallawahs team posted a mammoth 241 for 4 against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. Gayle was in typically destructive form hitting 116 from 62 balls, clearing the rope on 10 occasions. Chadwick Walton scored at an even quicker rate batting at three smashing 73 in just 36 balls with 8 maximums surely batting the Patriots out of the game but it wasn’t to be enough. Patriots were off a flier when Evan Lewis was dismissed after 5.3 overs for an 18 ball 53 they had already posted 85 and they were to remain ahead of the rate. Devon Thomas (70 from 40 balls), Laurie Evans (41 off 20) and Fabian Allen (37 not out in 15) made light of the huge total seeing their team home with seven balls to spare recording the second highest ever in both the Caribbean Premier League and T20 chase cricket at the time. The thrilling matchups are just one of the reasons why CPL cricket is so popular.
Another thrilling run chase in the 2018 Caribbean Premier League witnessed a quite remarkable individual performance from West Indian all rounder Andre Russell. He took a hat-trick with the ball and scored a century in the same match. Batting first Trinidad Knight Riders amassed 223/6 with fifties from Colin Munroe and Brendon McCullum. Russells hat trick came in the final over of the innings. In reply Jamaica Tallawahs were in disarray when Russell came to the crease at 41 for 5 at the beginning of the seventh over but assisted by a Kennar Lewis half century he launched a brutal assault on the Knight riders bowling finishing on 121 not out off just 49 balls, hitting a Caribbean Premier League record of 13 sixes during his match winning innings. Player of the match wasn’t a tough decision as his team won with three balls to spare by four wickets.
Similar Competitions To The Caribbean Premier League
There are a number of popular competitions similar to the Caribbean Premier League such as the PSL, Vitality Blast and the Big Bash League. These are all T20 competitions and those interested in the Caribbean Premier League may also want to check out sections on those competitions.