BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Mar.01.2018 – THE St. Kitts-Nevis Patriots have signed up a number of big names for the 2018 edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), while retaining the services of Captain Chris Gayle.
Gayle, who led the team to the finals in 2017, was the top pick for the local franchise - being retained for the price of US$160,000.
Evan Lewis, Ben Cutting and Carlos Brathwaite will also lineup for the Patriots.
This year, the team also have the services of fan-favourites, Tabriaz Shamsi and Sheldon Cottrell.
Also coming to St. Kitts and Nevis are, Brandon King, Devon Thomas, Fabian Allen, Sharmarh Brooks, Jeremiah Louis, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Tom Cooper, Graeme Cremer, Sandeep Lamichhane, Ibrahim Khaleel and Javelle Glenn.
The players draft was held in the United Kingdom and saw over 300 cricketers up for sale.
That number is an increase over 2017, according to the CPL organizers.
In 2017, 151 overseas players were in the draft while in 2018, 227 players were registered – a 50% increase.
The regional numbers also saw an increase, with 121 registering, up from 101 last year.
This year the tournament window means that all West Indies national team players will be available for the tournament.
That comes as organizers crafted a window where there is no international engagements for the players.
CPL’s Chief Operations Officer, Pete Russell said they were delighted with the response to the draft that they had from players.
“Every year we have seen an increase in the standard of players who want to be part of the Biggest Party in Sport, and 2018 is no different.”
This year’s tournament bowls off in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago on August 8.
