CRICKET WEST Indies (CWI), in collaboration with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), has unveiled a new 60-ball cricket format set for launch later this summer, dubbed ‘6ixty’.
While speaking with Gleaner Sports, CWI President Ricky Skerrit called for patience ahead of the start of the tournament.
“It’s an exciting experiment that needs to be given a chance. It’s added to the front of the CPL to sort of add some further excitement. Most importantly, it gives us a chance to get the women involved in an affordable way. It’s private investment money, so for us, it’s getting goodies without having to invest some of our pretty scarce resources,” he said.
Skerrit also hinted that the tournament could also be a way to say farewell to 42-year-old Chris Gayle, someone he referred to as possibly the greatest white-ball cricketer in history.
“We want to use the opportunity to pay tribute to him (Chris Gayle). He’s a patron of the event and hopefully, that’s something that’ll develop further,” he added.
NEW RULES
The tournament will feature a new set of cricketing rules channeled to make the game more exciting and attract new fans.
The batting team has six wickets while the Bowling team bowls 60 balls.
If a team fails to bowl their overs within the allotted time, a fielder is removed for the final six deliveries.
Thirty deliveries will be bowled from each end of the wicket with no bowler allowed to bowl more than two overs per innings.
If a team hits two sixes from the first 12 deliveries, they’ll unlock the third powerplay over. This powerplay can be taken from overs 3-9.
Fans will vote for the timing of a mystery-free hit where the batter can’t be dismissed by the bowler.
CPL League Operations Director Michael Hall spoke on the impact he thinks 6ixty will have on cricket, not only in the Caribbean but on the world stage.
“I think with the distinct possibility that Cricket becoming an Olympic sport will be manifested through this format. We want to make it fast pace, so there are not too many delays. We’re always mindful of the fans and the kind of experience they have when they go to games,” said Hall.
Hall also spoke on how he thinks the new format will attract new lovers to the game of cricket.
“Both as players and fans, the game is short, if it’s played in the allotted time, you should finish in an hour and a half, much like a football game so I think it’s going to be a good thing.”
The inaugural edition of6ixty is set to run from August 24 to 28, in St Kitts and Nevis.
orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com