Image source– Vernon A Springer
Sir Vivian Richards stadium will be filled with palpable excitement in the next few hours. But for hours together will one get to see loud and roaring sound as cricket’s famous party in the Caribbean will make a return for yet another season in a region where the fun never stops and where the party never ends.
Of course, this year around, it is only going to get bigger and better as at the beating heart of CPL 2024 is a brand new name that is making is all set to open its account for the very first time.
You can be sure that Sir Curtly will be watching on with keen interest.
What’s more?
Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards himself will be rallying around it. Sir Richie Richardson will be supporting it with fervent enthusiasm. And a certain Dario Barthley will be hugely excited to see it in live action.
The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons are the latest side to take shape in the home of T20 franchise cricket in the Caribbean: the CPL 2024.
But what is the new T20 franchise all about? Who are their key players and what can be expected from a brand new set up that’ll be ready to rock and roll as the first ball goes live in the 2024 edition of the Caribbean Premier League?
Caught At Point caught up with the ever-passionate Vernon A. Springer, who couldn’t have been happier with the prospect of seeing Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in CPL 2024.
He shared with quintessential passion some insights about the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons unit.
The following is what the man who must get more recognition as one of most meaningful voices of West Indies cricket had to say:
The return of a franchise to Antigua and Barbuda in ten years is a very high point for the people of Antigua and Barbuda and for the government.
At a time when the government is working seriously on its eco-system in sports, you realise that Antigua & Barbuda Falcons are gearing up for action.
There’s been plenty of action in the region. First, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches, then the Antigua & Barbuda carnival and now, you’re having the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in the CPL.
So the return of a franchise to Antigua in the biggest party in sports, the CPL, is great.
A number of persons have contributed to this success, such as the people of the government of Antigua & Barbuda Cricket Association followed by Amer Hourani, the one of the main sponsors of the Cool & Smooth T20.
When you see someone like a Mathew Forde, you see someone like the 17-year-old Jewel Andrew who’s going to be the youngest player playing the franchise (as on date), is brilliant.
Matthew Forde from Barbados already made his debut for the West Indies in the T20I format. There are so many players who would have come through this T20 league, such as Mikyle Louis, Alzarri Joseph and Rahkeem Cornwall. All these guys playing in the local T20 league shows you the importance of sponsorship and investment made in the Cool & Smooth tournament in Antigua.
You would know that over the years, the St. Kitts & Nevis line up would’ve played against an all-star team.
Antigua & Barbuda is a melting pot. It’s a melting pot to a point where you have the Cricket West Indies headquarters based here at Antigua and Barbuda. It’s here where all the contracted players end up, be it the white ball or red ball team, depending on where the tour is going to start.
The women’s national games, and other cricketing events- everything happens here in Antigua & Barbuda at the Coolidge cricket ground.
As you know, it was Antigua & Barbuda was the birthplace of T20 cricket in the Caribbean.
So, you have the famous ARG (Antigua Recreation Ground), and then you’ve also had the Coolidge Cricket ground, which was the Stanford Cricket ground.
So the excitement is buzzing. The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons has brought the new brand because unlike the other franchises in the CPL, this team has gone into the communities.
Their idea has been to get their brand out, they have had an interesting campaign called the Falcons Friday and the population of Antigua & Barbuda were asked to purchase the replica of this CPL franchise’s jersey.
So businesses, the banks, government officials and members from other sectors and spheres have all supported the team.
The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons will have a new captain. The original captain Brandon King is out injured.
The local players of Antigua & Barbuda will see Kofi James, who won back-to-back MVP’s in the Cool & Smooth tournament. Then, Jewel Andrew, only seventeen years old. There’s another emerging fast bowler in Kelvin Pitman. Then you’ve got Hayden Walsh Jr., easily one of the best fielders in the world.
To combine that with a Fabian Allen and Shamar Springer and Joshua James, along with international players make this a great unit.
Names like Imad Wasim and Sam Billings who’s just won a championship back in England in The Hundred make it so promising. Then you come down to some more exciting names like Fakhar Zaman from Pakistan.
It’s all going to be very exciting.
But the man who’s dominated world cricket for a while with his left arm brilliance, Mohd. Amir is also there.
Just really remarkable. Coached by the legendary Shivnarine Chanderpaul who’s being supported by Sir Curtly Ambrose. There’s a massive fan base and support system.
The franchise isn’t only about cricket; the Antigua & Barbuda is going to give back to the society. The first hundred and fifty boys and girls will be getting schoolbags and goodies for school.
Exciting times ahead. Trust me, it’s going to be great. It’ll be great for not just the islands or the entirety of CPL but the entire Caribbean region.
34 matches, let’s see who’ll be crowned champions.
