The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) announced record applications for CPL Player Draft 2016, however it is clear from the ICC Americas and the West Indies that Bermuda is not in their plans to help develop or be involved.
The continued argument would be the fact that in their Meeting earlier this week the ICC stated that USA will remain suspended, however they are allowed to still compete in tournaments and the ICC is still spending or planning to spend Millions of dollars to the Country.
A record number of local and international stars have been officially registered for the HERO Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Player Draft which takes place on February 11th in Barbados.
Commenting on this year’s record list of applicants both in the West Indies and across the world, Director of International Cricket for CPL, Tom Moody said, “Some of the leading names in world cricket have signaled their intentions to join the biggest party in sport at the CPL, so this year’s competition is sure to be our most exciting to date.
“Outside of our ‘marquee’ players, there are international players of the highest standard including a host of World champions, and a myriad of players who continue to entertain and enrich the global game.
Amongst the list of West Indies talent who are in the frame for the six franchises this year are stars of the caliber of Chris Gayle (a winner of the inaugural competition with Jamaica Tallawahs back in 2013), West Indies World T20 captain Darren Sammy and Lendl Simmons.
Darren and Dwayne Bravo are set to join the number one ranked T20 international bowler Samuel Badree, as well as Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard, who was such a driving force in Barbados reaching last year’s final before being edged by eventual winners Trinidad & Tobago.
To supplement the outstanding pool of local talent on display, some of the biggest names in international cricket will bid to join the five marquee players - Faf du Plessis, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Kumar Sangakkara and Shane Watson - who were confirmed last week.
Amongst the assembled overseas stars is a 34-strong South African contingent headed by prolific top order batsman Hashim Amla, leg-spinner Imran Tahir and fast bowler Morne Morkel.
There is sure to be a strong Pakistan presence in the tournament, which takes place from the end of June until the beginning of August, with one of the stars of last year’s CPL for Barbados Shoaib Malik included amongst a plethora of big names including Shahid Afridi, Misbah-Ul-Haq (who has played in both St Lucia and Barbados to date) and left-arm fast bowler Wahab Riaz.
Across the continents, there will be seven Bangladesh (including Shakib Al Hasan who is one of the finest all-rounders in world cricket), while there will also be seven Afghanistan players which is indicative of their recent rise in the shortest format of the game. Sri Lanka, currently ranked third in the T20 team rankings, will have 20 representatives in the frame including legends Tillakaratne Dilshan and Lasith Malinga will be looking to join their compatriot Sangakkara.
There will be 23 players from Australia in the Draft, including a blend of experience in Brad Haddin, Brad Hodge and Michael Hussey allied to a crop of up-and-coming talent, and a further 11 New Zealanders, including the likes of Nathan McCullum.
With coveted spots up for grabs from the ICC Americas region, there is sure to be a lot of interest across North America as players from Canada (seven) and the USA (10), who recently competed in the Nagico Super 50 competition, all aim to book one of the six coveted places.
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