A host of world cricket stars including Australian opener David Warner and West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo have been lined up for the Cayman Islands first foray into franchise cricket.
The Max60 Caribbean tournament will feature five teams competing in lightning fast 10-over matches at the Jimmy Powell Oval in West Bay.
The tournament will offer a rare chance for Caymanian cricketers to play alongside professionals.
A draft was held earlier this month with five teams, each featuring one ‘icon’ player amid a roster of professionals and three Cayman Islands cricketers.
The tournament is planned for 18-25 Aug. and will be televised throughout the cricket-playing world, according to event organiser BMP Sports.
Significant work has already taken place on the playing surface at the West Bay pitch to create a strip fit for some of the world’s best.
For the longer term, BMP Sports – which also has links to franchise tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Sri Lanka – hopes to run Caribbean Max60 tournaments at least twice a year in Cayman. The company also plans to invest heavily in upgrading the Jimmy Powell Oval to create a better set-up for supporters and establish a youth academy.
Dario Barthley, CEO of BMP Sports, acknowledged Cayman, which has limited cricket facilities and, compared with other Caribbean islands, a relatively minimal history in the sport, might seem an unlikely destination for such a star-studded tournament.
The West Indies Cricket Board controls the organisation of leagues and tournaments in much of the Caribbean. And the Cayman Islands represented a potentially glamorous location for a new type of cricket, outside of that structure.
“We want these franchise leagues played literally everywhere in the world,” said Barthley.
“We want people to be able to enjoy cricket against a beautiful backdrop in a place that they don’t mind bringing their families and inviting their friends.”
Transforming Cayman cricket
As chickens strolled across the outfield at the Jimmy Powell Oval earlier this month, that franchise future seemed a long way off.
Temporary seating is planned to accommodate crowds of up to 1,500 by the time the tournament gets under way.
And Barthley says the tournament’s investors are in talks with government to commit more cash to developing the facilities.
He said the tournament would represent a foot in the door of a growing global phenomenon for the Cayman Islands.
The chance to host a franchise that involves world stars – also including England’s Alex Hales, former Sri Lanka captain Thisara Perera and Sunil Narine, a three-time MVP in the prestigious Indian Premier League – puts the island in the spotlight for potentially millions of viewers, particularly in India where short-form cricket is a ratings winner.
For Cayman players, coaches, officials and umpires, Barthley said it would offer exposure to new levels of competition. The tournament format sees 15 Cayman players divided among the five squads.
“Those Cayman Island players who will now be professional cricketers, they will get an opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the best coaches in the world, some of the best players in the world, and meet some of the biggest franchise owners in the world as well,” said Barthley.
The path to a professional career for cricketers outside of the Test playing nations has grown with the birth of T20 and other shorter forms of the game.
The Indian Premier League remains the pinnacle.
But for any Caymanian cricketer, having a tournament of this kind on the doorstep represents a potential path to the big time.
Cayman Cricket president Courtney Myles said in a press statement Monday, “We are thrilled to host MAX60 and bring some of the biggest names in cricket to the Cayman Islands.
“This event is a testament to our commitment to elevating cricket in our country. The upgrades to the Jimmy Powell Oval and the opportunities for our local players and staff will leave a lasting legacy for cricket in the Cayman Islands.”
Caribbean Max60
Teams: Caribbean Giants, Boca Raton Trailblazers, New York Strikers, Grand Cayman Stingrays, Miami Lions
Icon players: David Warner, Sikander Raza, Dwayne Bravo, Alex Hales, Thisara Perera
Location: Jimmy Powell Oval
Dates: 18-25 Aug.