SPLT20 Set for May
A selection of top local and regional players in teams’ line-ups
This year’s SPLT20 tournament due to kick off in May is set for another exciting season.
The teams were chosen from a pool of local and overseas players; and at the end of the draft, the teams were grouped with the two finalists placed in separate groups.
The SPL T20 season commences on May, 15 and the organisers say they look forward to SPL4, turning out to be “a very much anticipated season and the fixtures look mouth-watering.”
The opening encounter is expected to feature the 2018 Champions South Castries Lions taking on Mon Repos Pioneers; as teams prepare to battle in a bid to oust the defending champions - Choiseul Credit Union Choiseul Craftmasters.
Following a vigorous SPL T20 Draft held earlier this month, several top players were included in the line-up of the eight (8) franchises that consists of the following teams - Mon Repos Credit Union’s Mon Repos Pioneers, South Castries Cricket Association’s South Castries Lions, Club Whispers Soufriere Stumpers, Choiseul Credit Union Choiseul Craftmasters, City Blasters, Gros Islet Knights, Mabouya Valley Renegades and new Franchise Laborie Credit Union’s Laborie Pride.
Amongst the regional players chosen, Gros Islet opted to pick the big hard-hitting Antiguan batsman and dependable off-break bowler Rahkeem Cornwall in its squad. After a fourth place finish in 2019, the northern-based team has signaled their intention to win it all in 2020.
Interestingly, the South Castries Lions has included former West Indies player Gary Mathurin, in its line-up. South Castries Lions is the first and only team in the SPL to have three West Indian players in their squad. The former champions also retained the services of Andre Fletcher and Johnson Charles for the upcoming season.
Castries City Blasters boast the rare accomplishment of a father-son combination in their team with the inclusion of Windward Islands Under 15 all-rounder Daren Sammy Jr., and former Windies skipper and current City Blasters captain Daren Sammy.
The league organisers acknowledge the support of corporate sponsors and particularly, Title Partners Digicel for the second year running, along with power – partners, The Ministry of Youth & Sports & NLA. Team Owners are: Mon Repos Credit Union, Choiseul Credit Union, Laborie Credit Union, South Castries Cricket Association, Club Whispers & Avatar Health Inc out of the USA.