Sunday League restarts February 12

THE CARIB Sunday League, the major limited overs cricket competition which has been badly affected by rain will most likely get going on February 12. This proposal was expected to be put to club representatives who met yesterday in emergency session at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain. The meeting was called by new chairman of the National Cricket League, Patrick Rampersad after unseasonal heavy rain played havoc with the first three rounds of the competition which was scheduled to get underway on January 9.

But when there was no let-up in the weather the National League decided on Saturday to suspend the competition indefinitely until the cricket grounds throughout Trinidad and Tobago can be ready for play. Rampersad said the clubs have already rejected a proposal to change the format of the competition of four groups of four teams which will give each team three matches heading into the quarter-finals. However the club representatives were yesterday expected to unanimously sanction the restart of the competition “afresh” after Carnival with the competition now ending on May 28. “The late start will mean only two additional weekends of cricket,” said Rampersad. “The semi-finals will now be staged on May 21 and 22 with the final on May 28 with the 29th as a Reserve Day.”

“It is the most sensible thing to do in my view and I have the support of the sponsors Carib Beer for the move to restart the competition,” said Rampersad yesterday. Rampersad said the input of the sponsors, in his view, is very important and he has been speaking ever so often with Colin Murray, Events and Sponsorship Manager of Carib, apprising him of developments and seeking his valued opinion. “In the past there may not have been the required level of co-operation and communication with the National League sponsors to ensure a smooth running of the competitions. But I intend to keep the effort collaborative,” said Rampersad.

The National League chairman said the decison to suspend the competition proved that the National League officials were not afraid to be decisive and respond quickly to a situation in the best interest of the 16 top clubs. Rampersad said the National League was also mindful of the expenses incurred by the clubs in staging matches on their home ground and also playing away and the wash-outs were threatening to dent their coffers. “The clubs have to cater for transport and lunch and that is an estimated $1,000 for each match and on rain ruined days, those expenses are washed down the drain,” Rampersad said. Winners of the Carib Sunday League collect $35,000 in addition to trophy and medals while the runners-up get $18,000 and medals.

Semi-final losers pocket $2,000 while the quarter-final loser get $1,000 each. Winning club in each round pocket $150. There are also “Man-of-the-Match” awards for the final ($500 and a case of Carib Beer); semi-final ($200 and a case of Carib Beer); and quarter-final ($100 and a case of Carib Beer). “Man-of-the-Match” in the preliminary rounds get a case of Carib Beer. Umpires for the competition have been allocated $18,000 while match inspectors share $3,600.