DUBBED the biggest party in cricket, the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will bowl off on Friday, July 11, in Grenada with last year’s finalists Guyana Amazon Warriors taking on the Antigua Hawksbill. 

But yesterday in the boardroom of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, CPL officials and the Government of Guyana, inked the contract which officially states that the Guyana National Stadium at Providence is ready for the 2014 matches.
Three matches will be played in Guyana starting on Thursday, July 17 with the Amazon Warriors taking on Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel then on Saturday July 19 the hosts face St Lucia Zouks followed by a rematch against the 2013 winners Jamaican Tallawahs on Saturday, July 20.
With the signing of contracts which give full usage of the national stadium to the CPL’s local organising committee, Anthony Xavier who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the venue said that he’s more than happy that all requirements were met by his team to ensure a smooth running of the event in Guyana.
Xavier pointed out that the venue was already in preparation to host the third Test between West Indies and New Zealand which was eventually relocated, caused by an ongoing dispute between the WICB and the Government of Guyana over the passage of the Cricket Administration Bill in the National Assembly.
Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony highlighted his administration’s delight in hosting matches in what he says has developed into one of the most-talked-about event around the Caribbean.
Anthony opined that the CPL will bring some delight to cricket-loving fans in Guyana after the WICB pulled the third Test match from Guyana and called on everyone to embrace this year’s event, even more than they did the inaugural staging.
Apart from hosting the matches, Anthony is advocating that the public even show up at the Amazon Warriors’ training at the facility, to help motivate the players as they seek to better their 2013 performance.

(By Rawle Toney)