CPL to implement new rules for 2015 tournament

Arising out of the contentious 2014 Final between Guyana Amazon Warriors and Barbados Tridents which was played on August 16 at Warner Park, St Kitts, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has agreed to review the rules and playing conditions for the 2015 tournament.{{more}}

The Guyana Amazon Warriors Franchise and CPL, in a release from the CPL, have announced that the issue has now been resolved and brought to a closure.

Fans would recall that the final came to an abrupt end when rain interrupted the Guyana Amazon Warriors innings at 107 for 4 after 15.5 overs while they were in pursuit of 153 to win the game. After the rain had stopped and mop-up operations completed, the stumps went back up. However, after a delay, the match officials inexplicably decided that the allotted time – including extra time – for the game had elapsed and the Barbados Tridents were declared winners on the Duckworth/Lewis method.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors Franchise Management wrote to CPL after the game, expressing its concerns on the unorthodox manner in which the game was ended. The Guyana Amazon Warriors, in an attempt to ensure that the playing conditions and tournament rules were adhered to rigorously and to avoid such a reoccurrence in the future particularly in a final, sought legal advice on this matter.

After various consultations, both parties have agreed that, in the interest of this great game of cricket and in order to maintain the excellent reputation of the CPL, the matter is now closed and all parties concerned can now move forward to the planning and implementing of a bigger, better and more exciting 2015 CPL.

towards that end, CPL officials, franchise owners/partners and the Tournament committee are currently reviewing the rules for the semi-finals and final with a view to using international umpires and match referees and extending the match playing time to midnight, if necessary.

Dr Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, franchise owner of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, commented after the matter was brought to a closure: “The game of cricket should always be the winner and the Guyana Amazon Warriors Franchise, remains steadfast in our commitment to make every contribution we can to bring enjoyment to the thousands of fans who support not only us but West Indies Cricket on the whole. We are of the firm view that the CPL can rejuvenate the passion and pride of all cricket lovers throughout the Caribbean and also all our supporters who reside abroad.”

Damien O’ Donohoe, CEO of the CPL, said; “We are pleased that the two parties have reached an amicable conclusion and that the matter is closed. CPL 2014 set new standards on and off the field and sealed our reputation as the ‘biggest party in sport’. We are now in high gear planning for CPL 2015 which is set to electrify the region once again. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the fans and look forward to seeing them come out in their droves for another summer of fantastic carnival cricket. We would also like to thank the Guyana Franchise and the team for their continued support in building CPL.”