The format is T10, but its cricket will appeal to tens of thousands of fans around the world. The region in focus is the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean. But no man around the globe where cricket brings joy and smile will be left bereft of the talent on display by its cricketers and their efforts.
The name is Max60 but there is a 100 percent chance, not sixty, that it will entertain and delight those who love white ball cricket and those who seek in the sport, a way of life.
With 5 teams- New York Strikers, Caribbean Giants, Boca Raton Trailblazers, Grand Cayman Jaguars and Miami Lions- playing 25 games in a span of a week feature not only the established and pre-eminent names of the game, but rising talents who so importantly need to be seen at the global level, Max60 could well be the most interesting thing about franchise cricket at the moment.
Have doubts?
Well, it is pointless to even entertain some.
When you have not only the likes of David Warner, Carlos Brathwaite, Sikandar Raza, Robin Utthappa, Colin Munro, Ambati Rayudu, among many noted names playing an exciting format of the game that also features some exciting young and rising names in the game, then chances are, you’d rather stay hooked to each delivery than remain in the fear of missing out of real fun cricket.
The Cayman Islands Cricket Association has brought to life the sport we so love in one of the most picturesque parts of the world, perhaps known more for its friendly vibe and pristine beaches, maybe not cricket as such.
However, all of that stands to change. Also called the Max60 Caribbean League or the Max60 T10 that has a certain Dario Barthley at the helm of the affairs in the capacity of its top executive, Cricket’s newest franchise face is exuding palpable excitement.
Those who know Dario Barthley will know a passionate young man who hails from Antigua, the land of the iconic Sir Viv, the irrepressible great Sir Curtly and the much-loved Richie Richardson. They would know that in Dario, there’s an inveterate cricket fan who merged his passion for the sport with the desire to excel by contributing to the game in a leadership role.
The former manager of the West Indies National Cricket team donned the gloves of the CEO of this brand new league with a clear vision: to play in part in enabling not just Caymanians but rising cricketers from around the planet to find more opportunity to play the game they live for and desire excelling in.
Caught At Point caught up with the affable, cool-as-ice and always warm and thinking man to better understand what Max60 is all about and what it plans to offer:
Why do you think Max60 is generating the massive hype that it is; what may have contributed to it?
I think Max60 is generating the hype that it is because it is a special tournament. It’s special because of the structure we have put into place. The places where it will be played and because of the players who will gain an opportunity due to the Max60 structure. We think that it was very important to go to some of the less traditional territories, especially within the Caribbean region. That’s because we know that the talent is there and for as long as the infrastructure can be put into place and resources added to that system.
We will get to see quite a few notable talents coming out of these countries because of Max60.
Many are already calling it the next big revolution in the region or the next best thing after the CPL. What’s your take on it?
I don’t think that it is the big cricketing revolution in the region. However, the CPL comparison isn’t necessary; it’s two different formats of Cricket. And I think that they are both (including Max60) credible in today’s environment of franchise cricket.
So, we actually want to support that CPL structure by virtue of players coming out through the Max60. With cricketers coming out through the T10 format and readying themselves for the T20 format, will, at the end of the day, augur well for Cricket in the Caribbean region.
So, certainly, Max60 will make the Caribbean region stronger in general.
What excites you the most as the league’s Chief Executive Officer?
As CEO, I am most excited about the connections that I have been able to make and again, the opportunity that Max60 will provide to the players. This is not just another franchise tournament for the players. Because for these players, this is the most important 8 or 9 days of their lives. I am talking about the young, rising talents that need greater exposure to the opportunity of playing cricket.
I have been able to rub shoulders with everyone, whether it is Carlos Brathwaite or Colin Munro. It is something that is so encouraging to note that the cricketers you will get to see in Max60 will be able to rub shoulders with these prominent names and be then able to earn a living out of playing cricket.
It will help them by putting themselves in a better position by taking advantage of getting more opportunities in the future. This is a huge plus.
We have T20 for over a decade and a half. Then came T10, then there’s been The Hundred. Where is franchise cricket in this format of white-ball game heading to from where you see?
I don’t necessarily know as to where franchise cricket is heading specifically, but I do see a change in the overall cricketing structure throughout the world, where a lot of players are spending a lot of their time playing franchise cricket as we have seen in the American model of sports. So I am looking forward to watching it happen and I think that with more leagues and obviously, international cricket still being more prevalent in creating more opportunities, it is giving a bigger safety net for us to capture the talent at different levels and I think that can be good for the world of cricket.
What should the fan be most excited about where it comes to Max60; what makes it a standout?
The fan should be most excited about watching world class players hit sixes against the beautiful and serene background of the beautiful Cayman Islands. From what I have seen here personally, this is a spectacular country with a significant support from several ministries, such as Sports and Tourism and I look forward to continuously building more opportunities for the Caymanians and even international cricketers to better their game and get in the franchise circuit.
