PORT OF SPAIN – Leading Caribbean and international cricketers say they are encouraged by the massive show of support from fans around the region for the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
“To get such a huge turnout in the CPL is fantastic. The only other place where you get these sorts of crowds is in the IPL (Indian Premier League),” declared Jamaica Tallawahs captain Chris Gayle.
“So (it) ranks right up there with the other tournaments, which is really great to see. I am really happy that things have progressed and it can only get bigger and better from here on.”
Officials say the CPL is set to finish with a bang after it was confirmed that the two semi-finals and final at the Queen’s Park Oval are sold out.
Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel were due to meet last night while Barbados Tridents clash with the Jamaica Tallawahs tonight before tomorrow’s final.
“In international games this year (in the Caribbean) and in the years before, we (the West Indies) have not gotten this type of support and this type of crowd,” said Tridents’ captain Kieron Pollard.
“It is good for us as cricketers and good for the Caribbean people and, hopefully, it can continue and get bigger.”
Organizers say the “full house” signs going up for the three matches confirm a trend that has been clear throughout the event involving six regional franchises that began at?Kensington Oval on July 30.
That trend has included, most recently, sell-outs on successive days at Sabina Park, Jamaica last weekend, and the first sell-out at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua last Saturday.
“After the IPL and the Big Bash League, you can take this as third (in the world) and it is just the first year. The response from the West Indies people has been awesome. Whenever you are playing a league, it is about people coming to the ground; that is the key to success, and I have seen that here,” said Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik.
“People have been coming from everywhere. I was talking to the Jamaica players and they were saying: ‘we’re not expecting much of a crowd in Jamaica’, but we played there and even in a day-game, I saw the ground full and energetic. It is a great thing.”
All-rounder Andre Russell, who has emerged as the hero for the Tallawahs, producing match-winning knocks and incisive bowling spells, said he can’t wait to help propel his Kingston-based franchise into the CPL final.
“I’ve been working hard on my batting and bowling, so I am not really surprised by form at the moment. I’m bowling good yorkers, I’m hitting the ball cleanly and I’m waiting for my type of balls to dispatch, so I’m happy,” Russell said.
He said his performances were testament to the determination he has shown since losing his spot in the West Indies team. (CMC/EZS)
