SIR ANDY ROBERTS HOPING FOR “IMPROVED ZOUKS" IN CPL 2014 ( “Our Aim is to finish Number 1 in the table!” )

Friday 27^th June 2014 – Kingston, Jamaica

Sir Andy Roberts (centre) stands with fellow cricket legends, Sir Vivian Richards (left) and Roger Harper (right) along with Caribbean broadcaster, Simon Crosskill, at the recently-held CPL Draft

 

The St. Lucia Zouks will be looking to have an improved showing in this season’s Limacol CPL after a disappointing 2013 season. Zouks mentor and West Indies legend, Sir Andy Roberts, spoke exclusively to www.cplt20.com about his plans to make this a successful season for the Zouks.

“I feel the same way I felt last year, and that is that we have genuine match winners but there is room for improvement from last year’s disappointing season,” said Roberts.

Having played in three Cricket World Cups and won two, Sir Andy, who was the first Antiguan-born player to represent the West Indies in test cricket, noted that his role for CPL 2014 would be to focus on the bowlers. “We have to improve 100%, and I will play more of a role with the bowlers this season to help them with their pace and variation. In cricket, bowlers win matches so I hope to bring the experience I had playing with the West Indies in three World Cups to the Zouks,” he said.

And having taken 202 test wickets, Roberts is a great man for the job. “Last season, we conceded too many runs in the last five overs, sometimes up to 80 runs, which is unacceptable. So this year, we need to avoid those lapses in concentration. Kevin Pietersen will be an important asset; as will Sohail Tanvir from Pakistan as his height will give batsmen issues. Indeed Brad Hodge’s experience will guide the younger players in the squad.” 

One player that Sir Andy Roberts is happy to have secured during the draft is Johnson Charles. “We are happy have him back home in St. Lucia. Last season, an issue we had was lack of depth in wicket keeping, so with Charles assisting Fletcher, they can also open the batting. In addition of course, we have Darren Sammy down the order who is one of the best finishers in world cricket, so if we are setting or chasing a total, we are confident he can do the job.”

Sir Andy also sent a strong message to the team he will face on July 12^th, saying; “On paper, the Tallawahs are a strong team, however cricket is played on the day and not on paper, so I back our players to give us a good start in Grenada. Our aim is to finish number one in the league table and automatically get to the final. We will work hard and play to the best of our ability.”

CPL 2014 begins on July 11^th when the Guyana Amazon Warriors will take on the Antigua Hawksbills.

Sir Andy shares a moment with Desmond Haynes and Marketing Director for CPL, James Wynne

ENDS

ABOUT THE CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE:

Caribbean Premier League is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere.  The inaugural CPL, billed as “the Biggest Party in Sport” featured six teams competing throughout the region in July and August 2013 – Jamaica Tallawahs, The Red Steel, Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Lucia Zouks, Antigua Hawksbills.  The Jamaica Tallawahs, captained by Chris Gayle, emerged as champions.

CPL 2014 will take place from July 11th to August 16th 2014.

FOOD FOR THE POOR RECOGNIZES PARTNERSHIP WITH MEDIA, SPONSORS AND CELEBRITIES

Kingston, Jamaica: Friday, June 20, 2014

Sealing a Partnership Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica Chairman, Andrew Mahfood shakes hands with Recording Artiste Richell ‘Richie Spice’ Bonner after he formally announced his partnership with the charity organization to sponsor the Galilee Early Childhood Education Centre. The occasion was a Media and Celebrity Appreciation hosted by FFP Jamaica at Usain Bolt’s Tracks and Records (Marketplace) on Wednesday, June 18.

Food For The Poor Jamaica (FFP Ja.) Chairman Andrew Mahfood has lauded the media, donors and top celebrities for their contribution to the activities of the charity organization over the years.

Speaking at a Food For The Poor Media and Celebrity Appreciation function on Wednesday, June 18 at Usain Bolt’s Tracks and Records, Mr. Mahfood said, “I wish to thank our partners without whom Food For The Poor could not execute its mission of ministering to the poor.”

He applauded the media for highlighting the work of the organization and for publishing stories about those they have found who need help. “I encourage you to keep finding those that need to be rescued so that we can get help to them.” Mr. Mahfood added, “Food For The Poor Jamaica’s job is incomplete once they are helpless or homeless in our country.”

For its 30th Anniversary, FFP Jamaica launched a school furniture campaign with a target to distribute at least 15,000 desks and chairs to schools in need before the end of the current academic year. Among the charity’s major partners in the furniture drive are: National Continental Baking Company; The Spanish Jamaican Foundation; Solo Jamaica Foundation; Sandals Foundation; Tankweld; Wisynco and FFP Florida. It has also surpassed its target to build or upgrade 50 basic schools under its Jamaica 50 Programme launched in 2012.

During the event, recording artiste, Richell ‘Richie Spice’ Bonner formally announced his partnership with Food For The Poor. He has offered to sponsor the Galilee Early Childhood Education Centre located at 16 Rodney Road in the Maxfield Park community. Other celebrities recognized for their role with the organization were: Yohan Blake, Olympian; Recording Artistes Tessanne Chin, Orville ‘Shaggy’ Burrell, Tarrus Riley and Saxophonist, Dean Fraser.

The charity organization which began its work in Jamaica in 1982, has since launched its activities in 17 countries in the Caribbean and Latin America.    >>>>>>>>

FFP Jamaica’s other activities across the island include assistance to over 100,000 farmers; support for medical clinics and provision of medications; distribution of hundreds of containers of food through its distribution centres; provision of boats and facilities for 16 fishing villages; the construction of over 22,000 houses and an education fund that has benefited hundreds of students.

Contact:

Ceila Morgan, PROComm, Tel: 926-6740 or 550-9330 OR

Petri-Ann Henry, Food For The Poor, Tel:  984-5005 or 564-2886

DANIEL VETTORI REPLACES MUTTIAH MURALITHARAN IN THE LIMACOL CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE ( Kiwi legend set to join to the Biggest Party in Sport for 2014 )

Wednesday 25^th June – Kingston, Jamaica

Daniel Vettori

Daniel Vettori has today been confirmed as the Jamaica Tallawahs’ International Franchise Player, replacing Muttiah Muralitharan, who is now unavailable for the tournament.

Vettori, who was recently head coach for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, will once again team with Chris Gayle as he and the Tallawahs aim to retain their CPL trophy. The former New Zealand captain will provide a wealth of experience and inspiration for his fellow teammates, not only from his extensive international career, but also from time spent in the Indian Premier League and Australian Big Bash.

Daniel Vettori said: “It’s a privilege to be able to step in and help the Tallawahs defend their title. Having heard so many positive words about the CPL from my fellow cricketers, when the opportunity to come to the Caribbean and play in arguably one of the world’s most flamboyant and exciting T20 competitions came along, I couldn’t turn it down.”

Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of the Caribbean Premier League, commented; “Murali certainly leaves big shoes to be filled at the Tallawahs, but we’re confident Daniel has the ability and personality to become a valuable asset for the team. He’s immensely popular throughout world cricket and his presence with the Tallawahs will only be a positive for his new teammates and the Biggest Party in Sport.”

The Limacol Caribbean Premier League returns on July 11, as the Guyana Amazon Warriors take on the Antigua Hawksbills at the National Cricket Stadium, Grenada in the opening game of the tournament. The Tallawahs play their first match the following day, against St Lucia Zouks, at 2:30pm local time.

ENDS

About the Caribbean Premier League:

The Limacol Caribbean Premier League is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere.  The inaugural CPL, billed as “the Biggest Party in Sport” featured six teams competing throughout the region in August 2013 – Jamaica Tallawahs, The Red Steel, Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Lucia Zouks, Antigua Hawksbills.  The Jamaica Tallawahs, captained by Chris Gayle, emerged as champions.

CPL II will take place from 11^th July to 16^th August 2014.

CPL STARS READY TO PLAY ONCE AGAIN ( West Indies veterans and newcomers have great expectations for the upcoming tournament )

Friday 20^th June 2014 – Kingston, Jamaica
 

With the countdown on to the start of the 2014 Limacol Caribbean Premier League, the CPL team caught up with some of the global cricket stars set to feature in the Biggest Party in Sport.

CPL stars, Chris Gayle, Denesh Ramdin, Dwayne Bravo, Suliemann Benn and Odean Brown were present at the launch of the Chris Gayle Academy at Lucas Cricket Club in Kingston, Jamaica, where they shared their thoughts on what fans can expect at the second staging of the Limacol CPL.

Excited to be taking over as captain of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, recently appointed West Indies test skipper, Denesh Ramdin, commented; “Captaining the Guyana Amazon Warriors is a new experience for me but I am ready to take up that role and I will be working hard to ensure we come out as winners this season”. 

With the Guyana Amazon Warriors not making many changes in the squad, Captain Ramdin believes that the team will mesh smoothly, saying; “We have a number of players on the team who can truly make a positive impact from the start like Martin Guptill, Sunil Narine and Lendl Simmons just to name a few, so I am confident in my team. We did not make a lot of changes, so we should not take a long time to gel.”

West Indies ODI and Red Steel Captain, Dwayne Bravo, was succinct when he said; “A good start leads to good momentum and that is what we did not have last season – something we are looking to change this time out.”

Last season, the Red Steel lost their first three games and ended up clinching a spot to the semi-finals on the penultimate day of the group stages by winning their match against the St. Lucia Zouks.

His teammate, Suliemann Benn, the 6’7 spinner who took four wickets in the CPL last year, had nothing but praise for the tournament saying; “CPL is one of the best things to come out of the Caribbean and I am truly honoured to be a part of it and play for the Red Steel”.

“Big Benn”, as he is more affectionately called, was retained by the Red Steel who will open their account on July 12^th against the Barbados Tridents in Grenada.

One player who is new to the CPL is 32 year old leg-break spinner, Odean Brown, who was drafted by the Jamaica Tallawahs. Despite battling injuries in the last three years, the Westmoreland-born man is delighted to be involved, and said; “It’s great being part of the CPL experience. This is my first season and, with all the injuries I have had, I am happy to finally have a shot and it is even better as I am playing with the Jamaica Tallawahs.”

Brown’s message to the Jamaica Tallawahs fans is simple; “Please come out to Sabina Park and support the Tallawahs, we have a solid team and are looking to retain the title, it will be exciting.” With the Limacol CPL only three weeks away, expectations and excitement is growing exponentially as tickets are set to go on sale soon.

ENDS

About the Caribbean Premier League:

Caribbean Premier League is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere.  The inaugural CPL, billed as “the Biggest Party in Sport” featured six teams competing throughout the region in August 2013 – Jamaica Tallawahs, The Red Steel, Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Lucia Zouks, Antigua Hawksbills.  The Jamaica Tallawahs, captained by Chris Gayle, emerged as champions.

CPL 2014 will take place from July 11^th to August 16^th 2014.

GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS DETERMINED TO TAKE THE TITLE OF LIMACOL CPL CHAMPIONS ( Coach Roger Harper says team is ‘on a mission’ )

Thursday 19^th June 2014 – Kingston, Jamaica

Roger Harper in conversation with sports commentator, Simon Crosskill

 

 

Having reached the finals held at the Queen’s Park Oval in the inaugural Limacol CPL last year, the Guyana Amazon Warriors are heading into the 2014 tournament with renewed vigour and determination to walk away with the title. Head Coach, Roger Harper, spoke exclusively to cplt20.com about this year’s squad, key players and the party that is CPL.

Looking ahead to this season, Harper is thrilled to be back for another CPL experience; “I am truly delighted to be back again. Last season I would say was a success for us, we topped the group stages and then finished second, so now we see the areas we need to work on in order to improve.”

Harper (who coached the West Indies during the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa), also said he is more than happy with his 15-man squad for the 2014 tournament. “We have seven Guyanese players in our team, in addition to a few new players like, New Zealander, Corey Anderson, who is making his name on the international cricket stage, and Navin Stewart from Trinidad and Tobago who is a solid all-rounder.”

While he is disappointed not to have one of the Warriors’ most influential players from last season, James Franklin, he feels his team is one to be reckoned with. “James Franklin delivered the x-factor last season and I am very disappointed not to have him back. I do however believe that we have a squad capable of giving any team a hard time.”

When the 6’4” Harper spoke about the CPL as a whole, he was positive; “The Limacol CPL is a massive hit in the Caribbean, it truly has elements for everyone to enjoy. The fans, the players, the media, the entertainment – it is just a great atmosphere for public enjoyment.”

In each CPL squad, a team can have up to four overseas players – something Harper believes is positive. “I think four is a good number as it allows local and regional players to shine on the big stage and because it provides a good, solid structure, competition for places will be stiff.”

One player that Harper and the Warriors’ fans will be looking to see is Jamaican, Krishmar Santokie, a player who Harper thinks has only got better in the past 11 months. “Krishmar Santokie is a hugely valuable asset to my team. He is an intelligent and determined player and I am very happy to have retained him. He deserves all the success he is reaping and it’s great that he is now in the Windies T20 Team.”

Finally, Roger had a message for the fans of Guyana to; “please come out and support your Warriors. We are on a mission and we need you to help us! We promise to do our best and make you all proud".

The Guyana Amazon Warriors will open the Limacol CPL 2014 when they take on the Antigua Hawksbills on July 11^th in the National Cricket Stadium, Grenada.

From left to right –  Curtly Ambrose, Omar Khan and Roger Harper at the CPL draft

ENDS

About the Caribbean Premier League:

Caribbean Premier League is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere.  The inaugural CPL, billed as “the Biggest Party in Sport” featured six teams competing throughout the region in August 2013 – Jamaica Tallawahs, The Red Steel, Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Lucia Zouks, Antigua Hawksbills.  The Jamaica Tallawahs, captained by Chris Gayle, emerged as champions.

CPL 2014 will take place from July 11^th to August 16^th 2014.

COURTNEY WALSH EAGER FOR THE LIMACOL CPL 2014 - Team mentor says the Tallawahs will retain the title of champions

Monday 16^th June 2014 – Kingston, Jamaica

Courtney shares the stage with his fellow mentors, Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Andy Roberts and Mr Roger Harper (L-R)

Reigning Limacol CPL champions, the Jamaica Tallawahs, this year welcome Jamaica and West Indies Cricket Legend, Mr Courtney “Cuddy” Walsh as team mentor. Mr Walsh spoke exclusively to www.cplt20.com about his inaugural year in the tournament and was upbeat about what he is expecting for CPL 2014.

“I am definitely looking forward to this experience! I may not have been around last year, but I am happy to be involved this year and I am eager to make an impact,” he comments.

The 6’ 6” former Jamaica and West Indies fast bowler has played in three Cricket World Cups and, in 1996, aided the Windies to the Semi-Finals. He has since won the Jamaica Sportsman of the Year three times in a row, and says he will be working closely with the fast bowlers among the Tallawahs for CPL 2014. “I expect to be playing a major role with the fast bowlers and I will be assisting them with their line and length so as to ensure they are a threat to the opposition.”

With the Tallawahs defending champions, the former world record holder for the highest number of wickets in a test knows it will be a challenge, saying; “We (the Tallawahs), will be under pressure from the start, as everyone wants to beat the champions, so we have to ensure our preparation is up to par and that we deliver on the day.”

Courtney will be teaming up with Mickey Arthur – former South African national team coach – who is the Jamaica Tallawahs new head coach for 2014. “I am in close dialogue with Mickey Arthur and his assistant, Junior Bennett, and we are all clear in our goals for this season, so things are falling into place for us,” he said.

Among the Tallawahs 15-man squad, there are 11 Jamaican-born players, something Courtney is very happy about, saying; “This will only assist in gelling the team even further – particularly as a number of the guys played with each other for the Windies U-19s, the Windies A Team and the Windies Senior Team, so I am happy about this and I am backing our local talent to deliver.”

Speaking about the tournament overall, Courtney, (who took 519 wickets in test cricket) is very positive about the T20 event. He said; “The CPL is a very exciting experience and will only bring rewards to the Caribbean. I admire how, on every team, there are a handful of young players, so it brings great development to Caribbean players and long term it is beneficial, we just have to be patient to receive the fruits of our labour.”

The former Windies Test and ODI Captain (who took 23, five-wicket hauls in his career), also had a message to the local Jamaican fans to, “come out to Sabina Park and support our local team, we are defending Champions for a reason and we vow to give 100% in each of our games!”

The Jamaica Tallawahs opening game is on Saturday 12^th July when they take on the St. Lucia Zouks in Grenada.

Courtney Walsh shares a joke with Curtly Ambrose during the Limacol CPL 2014 Draft

About the Caribbean Premier League:

Caribbean Premier League is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere.  The inaugural Limacol CPL, billed as “the Biggest Party in Sport”, featured six teams competing throughout the region in August 2013 – Jamaica Tallawahs, The Red Steel, Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Lucia Zouks and Antigua Hawksbills.  The Jamaica Tallawahs, captained by Chris Gayle, emerged as champions.

The Limacol CPL II will take place from 11^th July to 16^th August of 2014.

 

GRACEKENNEDY AWARDS JAMAICA’S FIRST HOUSEHOLD WORKER OF THE YEAR

KINGSTON, JAMAICA, June 2, 2014 

To thunderous applause from those gathered, Elaine Duncan on Friday, May 30 walked away the first winner of the GraceKennedy/Heather Little-White Household Worker of the Year Award.  Mervelyn Brown won second place, while third place went to Edward McGowan. GraceKennedy Group CEO Don Wehby stated that over 100 nominations had been sent to GraceKennedy, surpassing even the company’s expectations as to how Jamaica would have responded to the initiative. “It showed that we care, but that Jamaica cares as well,” he said.

The event, held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, brought together GraceKennedy team members, representatives from the Jamaica Household Workers Union, family members of Dr Little-White, the Judges of the Award, and the top eleven nominees for the Household Worker of the Year Award.  The Most Honourable Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller was the keynote speaker, and she lauded the nominees and household workers in general.  In a recorded speech, Shirley Pryce, President of the Jamaica Household Workers Union said, “This award today reminds me of the Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers song, that small people, one day must get big.” Ms Pryce is currently is in Mexico at a Gender Equality Conference.

The GraceKennedy/Heather Little-White Household Worker Award was launched in April of this year, with the aim to honour some of Jamaica’s finest, thought by the company to have gone unrecognised for too long. The public was asked to help change that, by nominating household workers for the award. A panel of six judges then went over the entries, selecting a top 11, from which the top three were then selected. Gender Consultant and Judge Dr Glenda Simms who spoke on behalf of the judges, said the process of selecting the finalists was very difficult, and said that there were moments when there were no dry eyes in the Judging room.  Nevertheless, she said, she thought that they had made the right choices in their final decision.

An elated and overwhelmed Ms Duncan received a trophy, $250,000, an account opened in her name at First Global Bank with $10,000 and a gift certificate from Hi-Lo Food Stores, valued at $50,000. She also will choose a secondary school student whose education will be financed by GraceKennedy for a year. Second place winner Mervelyn Brown received a trophy, $150,000, an account from First Global Bank with $10,000 in cash and a $25,000 gift certificate from Hi-Lo Food Stores. Edward McGowan received $100,000, an account from First Global bank with $10,000 and a $10,000 gift certificate from Hi-Lo Food Stores. Those who did not make it to the top three did not go unrewarded. To their pleasant surprise, GraceKennedy presented them with certificates of recognition, as well as cheques for $20,000. They are: Etta Butler; Pamela Gordon; Jacqueline Griffiths; Hazelyn Smith; Elizabeth Watson-Warren; Lorraine ‘Nordia’ Whittick; Beverly Wilson and Ilrett Wilson.

Mr Wehby said that the company was looking forward to staging the event on an annual basis. He also announced that GraceKennedy stood ready and willing to assist Shirley Pryce in making a reality of the vision shared by herself and Dr Little White, of starting a training school for Household Workers.

                                                                    

CHRIS GAYLE “EXCITED” FOR CPL 2014

Friday 6 June 2014 – Kingston, Jamaica

 With just five weeks before the start of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League 2014, Jamaica Tallawahs Captain, Christopher Henry Gayle, had a chat with the Limacol CPL team yesterday about his thoughts going into The Biggest Party in Sport.

The 6 feet 4 inch hard-hitting opening Batsman was speaking at the Lucas Cricket Club Ground in Kingston, Jamaica where he launched his Chris Gayle Academy. The Academy in Jamaica is aimed to “transform the lives of disadvantaged children in Jamaica by improving access to good quality education, training and employment”. 

“Cramps” - as he is more affectionately called - is known for his gratitude to Lucas Cricket Club as he said; “Lucas saved me” and continued by saying; “Without Lucas, I don't know where I would be today…maybe on the streets."

Looking ahead to this year’s Limacol CPL which is just five weeks away, the only batsman to hit a six off the first ball of a test match, has upbeat comments ahead of the second staging of the tournament.

Chris Gayle

“I feel very excited and honoured to play in the Limacol CPL once again. As defending Champions, a lot of pressure will be on us, but I feel that we have the strength to do very well this season”.  Gayle who has the fastest 100 in T20 History commented; “ With 11 Jamaicans in our 15 man squad chemistry, cohesion won’t be an issue and, as Jamaicans, we are warm people, so our four overseas players will feel right at home”.

Chris Gayle is still suffering from a back strain that he picked up a few months ago prior to the ICC World T20 in Bangladesh but he says he will be fine heading into his 100th test match against New Zealand on Sunday. “Put percentages of how fit I am aside, no matter what, I will be fit, ready and raring to go, I would like to make the fans at Sabina Park happy and that will be my aim for this landmark occasion”.

The Jamaica Tallawahs are the defending Champions of the Limacol  CPL as they won seven of their nine games in the inaugural season. Interestingly, the Jamaica Tallawahs are the only team to beat all five other franchises in the 2013 edition. Chris Gayle, alongside his 14 Tallawahs will be hoping for glory come July; “I would just like to say to the Tallawah Fans to come out in your numbers at Sabina Park, we promise to give a good account of ourselves and expect nothing less than the best - Wi Likkle But Wi Tallawah”.

ENDS

About the Caribbean Premier League:

Caribbean Premier League is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere.  The inaugural Limacol CPL, billed as “the Biggest Party in Sport”, featured six teams competing throughout the region in August  2013 – Jamaica Tallawahs, The Red Steel, Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Lucia Zouks, Antigua Hawksbills.  The Jamaica Tallawahs, captained by Chris Gayle, emerged as champions.

The Limacol CPL II will take place from 11^th July to 16^th August of 2014.

KEVIN O’BRIEN EXCITED FOR CPL 2014 (Hard-hitting Irishman returns to the Red Steel with high hopes)

Kingston, Jamaica - Tuesday 3rd June 2014

Kevin O’Brien is back for the Limacol Caribbean Premier League 2014 and he is coming with high expectations. After helping the Red Steel to reach the semi-finals in the inaugural season in 2013, he is aiming to go all the way this year.

The 2014 edition of the Caribbean Premier League will be back in just under six weeks when the Caribbean will once again light up for this thrilling party atmosphere across 30 exciting matches. 

“I am very excited to be back in the Caribbean and happy that the Red Steel re-signed me,” the Dublin-born cricketer said, “As well as looking forward to linking up with the Red Steel team again, I’m also looking forward to meeting the new players.” 

The CPL will add two new locations to this season’s event with the Spice Isle, Grenada hosting the opening games and St. Kitts and Nevis the closing round. Kevin (who also runs his own cricket academy based in Dublin) says; “CPL is going from strength to strength and the addition of new venues will definitely add to the brand image, so I am really excited to be a part of it, and I’m especially looking forward to the opening set of games in Grenada.”

Kevin O’Brien

Other changes this year include each team playing two more league games which the 2013 Associate and Affiliate Cricketer of the Year thinks is great news; “It gives us (Red Steel) an opportunity to gel more and develop our team chemistry. I am familiar with some of the new players in the squad, like Jamshed who I faced when we (Ireland) played Pakistan and also Kennar Lewis of Jamaica who I came across in the Nagico Super50 a few months ago.”

On this year’s competition, O’Brien (who scored the fastest century in Cricket World Cup history) says; “The Tallawahs and Amazon Warriors remain the favourites but each team in this season’s CPL has at least two to three match winners, so it is going to be interesting. Gayle, Russell, Narine, Santokie – these are just a few of the players who can make a huge impact this season, they’re all quality cricketers.”

Having always had a desire to play cricket professionally, playing in the 2004 U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh was a “great learning curve”, helping him to develop the fundamentals of the game. During that tournament, he helped the Ireland U-19 team by scoring 241 runs seeing Ireland through to the Plate Semi-Finals before being defeated by Australia. “That tournament was great exposure for me and it gave me good momentum to improve in the game.” 

Growing up learning about cricket, the 30 year-old hard–hitting, all-rounder looked to Shaun Pollock of South Africa and Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff of England.  He explains; “Shaun Pollock and Freddie Flintoff were players I always admired, they played with composure and skill and I have always wanted to emulate those qualities.” 

Kevin has played in two Cricket World Cups and three World T20 Championships for Ireland so undoubtedly he carries a wealth of experience, knowledge and technical ability. “The 2007 Cricket World Cup for me holds special memories of course. It was fantastic, especially when we were in Jamaica and we qualified for the Super 8’s.” Kevin O’Brien also bowled a maiden wicket over in the penultimate over of the game against Zimbabwe showing nerves of steel. Laughing about the moment, he said; “Trent Johnston had a word with me and I just remained focused and executed my best effort”.

Kevin O’Brien will come to the Caribbean in early July to meet up with the team and begin preparation for CPL 2014. “I am with Surrey now in England, but on July 5^th, I will head out to the Caribbean and join up with Red Steel. I can’t wait.” 

So it’s all eyes on the Irishman this year as the tournament gets underway in mid-July.

ENDS

About the Caribbean Premier League:

Caribbean Premier League is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere.  The inaugural CPL, billed as “the Biggest Party in Sport”, featured six teams competing throughout the region in August 2013 – Jamaica Tallawahs, The Red Steel, Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Lucia Zouks, Antigua Hawksbills.  The Jamaica Tallawahs, captained by Chris Gayle, emerged as champions.

The CPL launched last year to sell-out crowds, with over 250,000 spectators attending matches across Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and St Lucia, whilst a global TV audience of 36 million were entertained by the skills of international stars including Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Ricky Ponting and Muttiah Muralitharan.

 CPL II will take place from 11^th July to 16^th August of 2014. Visit http://cplt20.com for more info.