West Indies Breakout T20 League bowls off with vision for the future

The inaugural West Indies Breakout T20 League got underway on Friday at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad, ushering in a new era for cricket in the Caribbean.

As the first ball was bowled, Cricket West Indies (CWI) President Dr Kishore Shallow underscored the tournament’s long-term significance for regional cricket development, calling it a strategic move to reshape talent cultivation across the islands.

Dr. Shallow voiced his optimism about the league’s potential impact, stating: “This league is a bold, forward-looking investment in the future of West Indies cricket. The West Indies Breakout T20 League is a proving ground for the stars of tomorrow. We are ushering in a new generation of T20 cricketers, and today is the first step on that journey.”

Specifically tailored for emerging players, the Breakout League forms a crucial part of CWI’s talent development pathway. Its primary aim is to bridge the gap between youth and professional cricket — a space where many promising players have previously struggled to advance due to limited opportunities.

Backed by a robust financial foundation, the league has received US$1 million from CWI to establish a high-performance environment from the outset. The initiative also enjoys strong support from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), which has contributed an additional US$1.3 million to the project.

On this investment, President Shallow added: “This is a significant investment in this format and in the future of West Indies cricket. We must do what is necessary to stay competitive in today’s game and position ourselves for the future. That means backing our young talent, creating high-performance environments, and laying down strong foundations for the future.”

Eligibility criteria are designed to spotlight fresh talent. Players must be under 30 years old at the start of the tournament and have fewer than 40 List A T20 appearances and fewer than 10 international T20 caps. Each team in the league is affiliated with a CPL franchise, offering players a direct pathway to greater exposure and career advancement.

A total of 84 players will feature in the competition, which includes 17 matches scheduled over ten action-packed days. (CWI/BT)