GRENADA SCORES OPENING GAMES OF THE CPL 2014

Tallawah's Chris Gayle

The 'Spice Isle' will kick off the "Biggest Party in Sport" by hosting the opening of CPL

Thursday 8th May 2014 – St. George's, Grenada: Carnival cricket fever hits the beautiful island of Grenada with the announcement that the National Cricket Stadium will host the launch and opening round of games of the 2014 Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL), from Friday 11th July, with all six teams in action over the first weekend.

The CPL, which thrilled sell-out crowds in six countries across the Caribbean in 2013, is once again looking to excite fans with high intensity T20 cricket for the 2014 tournament. Grenada, known for its vibrant culture and hospitality, will serve as the opening venue to showcase the region's most exciting domestic Twenty20 tournament. Global stars including Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Kevin Pietersen and Muttiah Muralitharan will take part in the "Biggest Party in Sport".

The Honourable Emmalin Pierre, Minister for Youth, Sports and Religious Affairs of Grenada, said: "Grenada is delighted to host the opening of the 2014 Limacol Caribbean Premier League, and we're looking forward to showing off "Pure Grenada" to the world. Grenadians are a sociable, welcoming and fun-loving people so it's going to be a fantastic occasion – on and off the pitch – and we're going to make sure the CPL feels right at home on the Spice Isle."

Damien O'Donohoe, CEO of the CPL, commented; "We are absolutely delighted to have Grenada on board to host the thrilling CPL opening matches. After an incredible inaugural year that surpassed all expectations, cricket fans all over the world are looking forward to another exciting tournament. The players and fans are expecting a high calibre event and we feel that we are in safe hands with our partners in Grenada. The beauty of this island is matched only by the hospitality of its people and so we are looking forward to sharing that with the international audience. We're delighted to welcome Grenada to the CPL family."

WICB President, Whycliffe 'Dave' Cameron,congratulated Grenada on being chosen to host the opening of the Limacol CPL and spoke of his excitement for all the action that awaits fans in July and August, saying; "The 2014 staging of the Limacol CPL should be no less exciting than the inaugural edition and we know the kind of atmosphere this version of the game can generate. We are keen on the partnership with the CPL and we anticipate fierce rivalry among the teams again this season."

The National Cricket Stadium, which has hosted several West Indies matches since 2002, as well as six matches at the 2007 World Cup, boasts fantastic playing facilities and will hold the biggest Limacol CPL crowd ever, with room for a massive 16,200 fans each day.

Action begins on Friday 11th July, when some of the world's most prolific batsmen, skillful bowlers and athletic fielders take centre stage. With carnival cricket fever building for the first match of the tournament, no one will be disappointed by the opportunity to see last year's runners-up, the Guyana Amazon Warriors, take on the Antigua Hawksbills, with two of the world's finest spinners, Sunil Narine and Saeed Ajmal, going head-to-head.

The action and party fever continues into Saturday's game, which will see Dwayne Bravo's Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel take on the Barbados Tridents, captained by Kieron Pollard. Mentors and legendary West Indies openers, Gordon Greenidge (Red Steel) and Desmond Haynes (Tridents), will be looking to put their friendship aside as last year's two beaten semi-finalists seek to get their 2014 campaign off to a winning start.

Sunday will see Chris Gayle's Jamaica Tallawahs starting the defence of its Limacol CPL crown on the final day of the opening round of matches. Standing in their way will be a St. Lucia Zouks team, masterminded by head coach, Matthew Maynard, and set to feature West Indies T20 captain, Darren Sammy and Grenada's own Andre Fletcher, who will be backed by fanatical local support.

Information about tickets for the three opening games of the CPL 2014 will be announced in the near future.

ENDS
Opening Schedule for CPL 2014 (Full schedule to be announced on 9th May)

Grenada National Cricket Stadium

Friday 11th July 2014 - Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Antigua Hawksbills
Saturday 12th July 2014 – Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel vs Barbados Tridents
Sunday 13th July 2014 – St. Lucia Zouks vs Jamaica Tallawahs

About the Caribbean Premier League:

Caribbean Premier League is a franchise-based T20 format cricket tournament that combines two of the most compelling aspects of Caribbean life – dramatic cricket and a vibrant Carnival atmosphere.  The inaugural CPL, billed as "the Biggest Party in Sport" featured six teams competing throughout the region in August  2013 – Jamaica Tallawahs, Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel, Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Lucia Zouks, Antigua Hawksbills.  The Jamaica Tallawahs, captained by Chris Gayle, emerged as champions.

CPL II will take place from 11th July to 16th August of 2014.