What’s new in CPL 2020?

Before we release our series of team previews, Karthikeya Manchala explores the unique elements of this year’s pandemic-affected Caribbean Premier League.

No crowds, what’s the fun?

The CPL is fondly known as the “Biggest Party in Sport” throughout the cricketing world. What usually differentiates the CPL from every other T20 league around the world is the vibrant crowd, blaring vuvuzelas and the party stands. Crowds fill up the stadiums and create an atmosphere like no other sporting event in the world.

In this edition, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced all games to be held behind closed doors. It will be impossible to replicate the atmosphere artificially, but it will be intriguing to see what the CPL Marketing and Production team comes up with in an attempt to preserve the “CPL vibe”.

Trinidad and Tobago is the center of attraction

As traveling during the season will be a logistical nightmare, all the matches are scheduled to be played in Trinidad and Tobago. It is the only island to have two cricket grounds - Queens Park Oval and the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. Teams will not have the advantage of home games for the first time in the CPL (apart from when Jamaica played home games in Florida). 

The biosecure bubble restrictions will mean players will not have the freedom they usually do. In previous editions, overseas players have stated that they enjoy the CPL because they can take their minds off cricket in between games by team-bonding at the beach or exploring the beauty of the Caribbean. There will be no such fancy  detours this time.

Spin it to win it

As stated earlier, only two venues will be used for all 18 playing days, which means the pitches are bound to take wear and tear at some point. Both grounds are already known for pitches that are spin-friendly and this will only be amplified by the nature of the tournament. Aware of this, teams have packed their bowling lineups with quality spinners.

Barbados Tridents in particular could field the formidable quarter of Afghan sensation Rashid Khan, New Zealand’s Mitch Santner, last year’s MVP Hayden Walsh and off spinner Ashley Nurse. The other teams have recruited fearsome spin trios which feature the likes of Sunil Narine, Imran Tahir, Sandeep Lamichhane and Mohammad Nabi.

(Spin will be even more influential this season)

Anchors or spin power hitters?

Anticipating a low-scoring tournament, some of the teams have decided they need solid anchors in the top and middle order to bat through the innings. St Kitts and Nevis Patriots have traded in Denesh Ramdin, St. Lucia Zouks have hired Jono Wells and Leniko Boucher, and Barbados Tridents will have Shai Hope and Jonathan Carter as “rotators”

The other three teams have defied convention and packed their middle orders with power hitters. Trinbago Knight Riders have Kieron Pollard, Colin Munro and Tim Seifert to provide impetus. Guyana Amazon Warriors have retained the exuberant core of Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran and Sherfane Rutherford. Jamaica Tallawahs are setting up for a six-hitting spree with Andre Russell, Rovman Powell and Carlos Brathwaite.

It will be interesting to see whose strategy prevails at the end.

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(Ashmead Nedd will be looking to make a mark)

The youngsters’ time to shine

In 2019, CPL introduced a policy stating that every team must pick two players each from the “CWI Emerging Players Category”. This year, they have taken it a step further and mandated that the emerging players must play a minimum of five matches between them. This could potentially accelerate the development of promising young talent in the region.

The likes of Jayden Seales, Kimani Melius, Nyeem Young and Ashmead Nedd will have the opportunity to play alongside the big guns, allowing for some exchange in knowledge. Besides, as we saw in 2019, some of them may put in a big performance and catch eyeballs. Shamar Springer delivered a man of the match performance last edition and Anderson Phillip impressed with a pacy three wicket haul.

No Universe Boss this time

For the first time in the history of the CPL, Chris Gayle will not feature in any team. Without a shadow of doubt, the CPL will sorely miss the greatest entertainer in the sport and the pioneer of T20 cricket.

After creating a storm at his home franchise Jamaica Tallawahs, Gayle declared he was going to play for Daren Sammy’s Zouks. However, right before the draft, he announced his intention to withdraw from the tournament due to personal reasons. Gayle may well be back next season, but for now, it is up to the other superstars to light up the tournament and show us a glimpse of the bright future even in a post-Gayle era. 

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