− Russell speaks on the importance of CPL 2021 edition
By Brandon Corlette
“The Biggest Party in Sport”, the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), will be bowled off in a matter of mere days. On August 26, the Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders will lock horns from 10:00h at the Warner Park in St Kitts & Nevis, where the entire tournament is being held.
This tournament, the second to be hosted by CPL in a bio-secure environment, will be of great significance for players, as the ICC T20 World Cup looms in UAE and Oman in October. According to CPL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pete Russell, if players shine in CPL, they will increase their chances to feature in the T20 World Cup.
“You shine over the next three or four weeks in St Kitts as a West Indies player (and) you will be on the plane to the UAE. Simple as that! We have got Phil Simmons coming down, and a number of other selectors on the ground, so I think this (gives) everyone (a) chance to stake a claim. What a great opportunity this is!” Russell disclosed.
All individuals who have touched down in St Kitts have returned two negative PCR tests. Russell noted that the players are ready to play “The Biggest Party in Sport”. CPL tickets are currently on sale in St Kitts, and can also be obtained online. Live attendance is being allowed at 50 per cent capacity of the venue, but only fully vaccinated fans would be allowed in.
Eight matches would be held behind closed doors, but fans would be allowed to witness the remaining 25. “We wanted to make sure that the 10AM games are mid-week, and not going to be that easy for people to attend, so we decided to put them behind closed doors so people can enjoy that entertainment at home. It is a practical decision, there is no point in opening the Stadium for two or three people. Our main focus is the weekend games,” Russell said.
St Kitts and Nevis has experienced an increase in COVID-19 cases in recent days, and the first case of the Delta variant has been confirmed. However, the CPL CEO remains confident that this tournament would be run off smoothly in St Kitts. “We watched this very closely. It’s been a concern that the cases are rising, but anyone coming to games must be fully vaccinated, and there are strict protocols (in place). It is a watching brief, and we will make sure everyone is safe,” Russell has said.
He has also disclosed that 96% of the individuals in the CPL bubble are fully vaccinated, and the players with their family must adhere to the same protocols as CPL staff. With some players and staff currently in Jamaica in the ongoing Pakistan-West Indies Test match, Russell says CPL has organised a chartered bubble-to-bubble operation, and upon arrival, they will be available to play.
“They will go from the airport to the charter, and be picked up here in St Kitts with our charter,” Russell added. If there is a COVID-19 case in the bubble, Russell said, there is an isolation process, which is a standard protocol. In regard to anyone breaching the bubble, Russell has said that anyone who breaches the bubble, or goes out without permission from the Task force or the CPL task Force, would immediately be expelled from the tour. There is a zero-tolerance policy on this, Russell noted. The CPL, which will be hosted at Warner Park, will see four-time champions Trinbago Knight Riders defending the title.