Big prize increase for local cricket

THERE has been an increase in prize money for next year’s domestic cricket league, but a disappointed Colin Murray of the league’s sole sponsor Carib Brewery has called on administrators to put their differences behind and work in the interest of cricket. Murray’s call came at the launch of the 2006 Carib National Cricket League at the Brewery’s Hospitality Suite, Champs Fleurs. Before revealing what the prize money for the coming domestic league, Murray told the gathering that although he was unsure of what was going on in the sport presently, the numerous media reports had suggested to him that there was a struggle for power. The former national cricketer pointed out two situations in which he said was not only hurting him, but also hurting the sponsor and most importantly the sport.

Firstly he said that the current umpire’s impasse in which rebel group (ACUTT) the Association of Cricket Umpires of Trinidad and Tobago made a proposal to be recognised ahead of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Umpires and Scorers Council (TTCUSC) was posing a threat to the start of the new season next year. Murray made it clear that there was obvious need for dialogue among all sectors of the cricketing fraternity. He said further, one cannot just form themselves into a group and expect to be recognised. “Things just do not work like that,” Murray added. He expressed uncertainty as to whether there will be cricket in the coming season, and said he feels teams also felt the same way. Murray also called on all who are in it for self gain and power to try another sport because the sport belongs to the people of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean.

He made it clear also that cricket and no one else will be the loser in the end of it. Meanwhile, TTCB secretary Forbes Persaud  has given the assurance that there will be sufficient officials to get the 2006 season off the ground. Persaud was responding to an expected strike action by the rebel group, as well as if a resolution to the impasse is not met. Only recently ACUTT interim chairman Harry Mahabal said they had 70 percent of umpires who are disgruntled over the way they are being treated and the way the current association was being run. In an immediate response, however, the board through Persaud said they would have no choice but to follow the decisions of the duly elected body (TTCUSC), who themselves have been in charge of umpiring for the past 49 years.

“If we allow ACUTT to be recognised, it means we will be starting a precedent for anyone to start up an organisation and expect to be recognised by the board,” Persaud said. Murray said prize money for the new season have been increased by approximately $27,000. The increase reflects a near half a million ($437,935) sponsorship by Carib Brewery to domestic cricket. For the Carib National League, the Brewery has ploughed some $169,700 into the staging of the competition which will see the winner of Division One receiving $50,000 and the runners-up $23,000. Division Two winners will get $20,000, an increase of $5,000 over last year, while the second placed team will collect $10,000. The two Reserve League winners will each receive $2,000 while the runners-up will pocket $1,500.

For the Reserve League, five players of the tournament as well as a Cricketer of the Year and the Player of the Round will be selected. The Carib national league is scheduled to bowl off on February 18 and 19 with a clash between W Connection Wanderers and Powergen Sports Club at Gilbert Park. Murray also said winners of the Carib Sunday League will collect $37,000 and a trophy and runners-up $20,000. The losing semi-finalists will each receive $2,000 while the losers of the quarter-finals will get $1,000. The Carib Sunday Reserve League will see the top team receiving $5,000 plus a trophy and the second best team $2,500. Murray said also that the Carib Shield winner for 2006 will get $28,000 while $17,000 will go to the runners-up.