Masters set for October 30
… organisers thinking big
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Organisers of the CLOBI Cup World Masters Tournament hope to develop the event into an unofficial World Cup in the future.
The second edition of the competition takes place from October 30 to November 5, and features four nations in a Twenty20 showdown at Kensington Oval for a winner-take-all prize of US$50 000.
“In order to achieve this, we first have to build a brand, which required some changes to our logo and our approach,” said Project Manager Adrian Griffith, the former Barbados and West Indies opener.
“We have also enlisted the services of a communications partner that will give us the regional and global reach to help build and push that brand.”
West Indies Masters – led by fast bowling legend Courtney Walsh – will face first-time challengers India, star-packed Sri Lanka, and defending champions England in the competition.
“It was our intention this year to increase the number of teams invited this year to eight, but the current economic climate, and this proved to be very challenging, so a decision was taken to revert to the four-team structure of last year,” he said.
“Attempts were made to get the Aussies to take part, but the financial constraints, and the Ashes have prevented this from happening.”
He added: “Many of the past greats are committed to various roles during the Ashes and cannot make the trip.
“We are however, very optimistic that Australia will take part in a future edition.”
Players must be 35 years and over, and must have retired from first-class cricket, but special provision has been made to allow two players that meet the age requirement and still playing to be included.
The tournament will feature four match days – Saturday, October 30, Sunday, October 31, Wednesday, November 3, and finals day, Friday, November 5 – with two matches each day.
Walsh will spearhead the attack with his former pace partner Curtly Ambrose on one of their most famous stomping grounds.
Carl Hooper, a huge favourite with the crowd in Barbados, will lead the batting, along with younger former teammates such as Sherwin Campbell, Floyd Reifer, and Junior Murray.
England return with only one change from the squad that lifted the trophy 12 months ago – their winning captain Darren Gough is unavailable and is replaced in the side by Martin Bicknell, while Dominic Cork takes over as captain.
Their batting remains a major strength, based around Graeme Hick, who hit three half-centuries in four matches last year and was the undisputed Man-of-the-Tournament.Mark Ramprakash, who continued to pile up runs on the English country circuit this summer, is another trump card for the English.
Sri Lanka are determined to gain revenge, after failing to make the Final of last year’s inaugural competition, so they have included Sanath Jayasuriya, Aravinda Da Silva, and Chaminda Vaas.
India replace last year’s finalists South Africa as the fourth team in the competition, and their line-up includes fast bowlers Venkatesh Prasad and Abey Kuruvilla, as well as left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi, all of whom visited the Caribbean in their heyday.
Incorporated five years ago, CLOBI (Cricket Legends of Barbados Incorporated) comprises 41 shareholders – Barbadians who were former West Indies cricketers, still alive, but retired from Test cricket – including Sir Garfield Sobers and Sir Everton Weekes.
Most of them had contributed significantly to the growth and success of the West Indies team in the “glory days”.
CLOBI’s mandate is to encourage a culture of leadership and excellence in the game of cricket and in every aspect of life.
Through its members, the company inspires a new generation of cricketers by placing them in contact with national cricket legends who have successfully represented the West Indies at cricket.
The Cricket Legends opened a Cricket Museum earlier this year, the first in Barbados solely dedicated to the sport. The company also operates two retail stores.