By Rawle Toney
Pete Russell, the chief executive officer of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), remains unperturbed by the recent criticisms voiced by Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) captain Kieron Pollard regarding the introduction of penalties for slow over-rates in this year’s tournament.
Pollard’s Knight Riders became the first team to receive a ‘red card’ resulting in only 10 players being on the field in the final over after being penalised for being behind the over rate in their match against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Sunday night.
Pollard expressed his concerns about the rule’s impact in a post-match interview, stating, “To be honest, it will take away the hard work everyone has done. We are like the pawns and we are going to do what we are told. We are going to play as fast as we can.But I think being penalised for 30 seconds and 45 seconds and things like that – in a tournament like this – I think is absolutely ridiculous.”
However, during a press conference at Kensington Oval on Tuesday afternoon, Russell admitted that he was “disappointed” by Pollard’s remarks.
“I think from a CPL perspective we’re obviously disappointed by the comments afterwards, but emotions run high. For us we think that the rule is there for a reason and every other captain and team has adhered to it and we hope it continues being the case going forward,” Russell said.
He explained that the primary reason behind implementing the rule was to accelerate the pace of play.
“It has a knock-on effect. We’re doing it really for the fans and I’m certainly not mindful to change it,” Russell said, while revealing that this year’s games were approximately 17 minutes shorter compared to those in the 2022 tournament. “It’s just unfortunate that Trinidad got caught up in it, but everyone signed onto it,” the CEO said.
As part of the new rules, teams are expected to complete the 17th over within 72 minutes and 15 seconds.
Failure to meet this timeframe results in the fielding side being required to position a fifth fielder within the 30-yard circle. If the 18th over isn’t concluded within 76 minutes and 30 seconds, a sixth fielder is mandated.
The most noteworthy penalty comes into effect if the 19th over isn’t completed within 80 minutes and 45 seconds: “One fielder will be eliminated from the field before the beginning of the 20th over, leaving six fielders within the circle. The fielder to be eliminated can be chosen by the fielding captain.”
