BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AFTER months of discussions, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has officially announced details of the inaugural West Indies Breakout League, a regional T20 competition set to take place in Trinidad and Tobago between April and May this year.
The tournament, which will be hosted at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, begins on April 25 and is designed as an under-30 event aimed at discovering the next generation of T20 stars.
In a media statement this afternoon, CWI confirmed its partnership with the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) to jointly launch the new competition, describing it as "a tournament designed to spotlight emerging talent across the region."
The event will feature six teams competing in a total of 17 matches, with two games scheduled per day, all played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The participating teams are the Barbados Pelicans, Guyana Rainforest Rangers, Jamaica Titans, Leeward Islands Thunder, Trinidad & Tobago Legions, and the Windward Islands Infernos.
To be eligible, players must be under 30 years old at the start of the 2025 tournament and have limited professional experience—fewer than 40 List A T20 matches.
Miles Bascombe, CWI’s Director of Cricket, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating: “This tournament is a fantastic opportunity for the next wave of players to gain valuable game time and push through to the next level, adding depth to our T20 talent pool. We are delighted to collaborate with the CPL on this initiative, which promises to provide a strong platform for up-and-coming talent in the West Indies.”
Pete Russell, CEO of Republic Bank CPL, echoed these sentiments, adding: “We are excited to join forces with Cricket West Indies to deliver a world-class and sustainable tournament. This initiative is not only an investment in the future of West Indies cricket but also a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to witness exceptional talent and great cricket.”
The West Indies Breakout League is poised to become a key fixture in the region’s cricketing calendar, providing fans, players, and franchises with an opportunity to help nurture the next generation of stars.
CWI has emphasized that this tournament is not intended to compete with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), which remains the premier professional T20 competition in the region.
