CPL exec explains date pushback

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Caribbean Premier League (CPL) officials say the decision to push back the popular domestic Twenty20 tournament in order to accommodate the revised India tour is in the best interest of all parties involved.

The CPL was initially set to bowl off in August, but will now run from September 4 to October 12 to avoid a clash with the touring Indians, who are now set to start their Caribbean series in August instead of July.

Speaking to journalists here alongside Cricket West Indies (CWI) Chief Executive Jonny Grave, and CPL Chief Executive Damien O’Donohoe, Caribbean Premier League Chief Operating Officer Pete Russell said the eventual itinerary benefited CPL, CWI, and especially the players.

“We’ve worked very closely with Jonny (Grave) and his team to make sure there wasn’t any overlap,” Russell explained.

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“Cricket West Indies understands that we need obviously the best West Indies players, and it also doesn’t make any sense for CPL to be playing while India are here. So there’s been a lot of juggling, negotiations and gnashing of teeth to get the schedule to where it is.”

He added: “We want our fans to be able to watch the best local talent taking part, and that is why we are more than happy to be flexible with our dates to make that happen. The biggest party in sport may have been delayed by two weeks, but it is going to be even better as a result.”

The CPL will be in its seventh year, but has never before bowled off in September. For the past two years, the tournament has started in August and wrapped up in September, while in 2016, it began in June and finished in August.