September 14th, 2026 -- The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Next Gen programme reached its climax on Friday 11 September, as 26 of the region's most promising young cricketers took to the field at the iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados, with Sunset Smashers defeating Coral Reef Chargers by seven wickets in a match broadcast live on CPL's social media channels and on Rush Live & Louder.
The match brought together standout performers identified across a series of CPL cricket clinics held in Barbados, giving them the opportunity to play on one of the sport's most celebrated stages. These young people were identified with the help of the Barbados Cricket Association, the Ministry of Sport and school and cricket clubs across the country.
Split into two competing sides, Sunset Smashers and Coral Reef Chargers, the young cricketers demonstrated the calibre of talent emerging through the region’s grassroots pathways.
The occasion formed part of CPL's wider commitment to nurturing the next generation of Caribbean cricketing talent, offering school-age players a taste of the professional environment and exposure to a live broadcast audience. The partnership with RUSH Live & Louder ensured the match reached fans well beyond Kensington Oval, reflecting CPL's growing global appeal and its focus on community engagement across the region.
?Jason Williams, Project Development Manager, Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League, said: "The standard of cricket on display from these young players was outstanding, and it's a clear sign of the strength of talent coming through in the region. Watching them perform with such composure and skill at a venue like Kensington Oval was a special moment, and it's exactly why programmes like Next Gen matter so much to the future of Caribbean cricket.
"This celebration of the young talent in Barbados only further highlights the great work that the Barbados Cricket Association has done to harness the cricketing ability that exists on the island which has for so long been a hot bed of fine players.”
CPL remains committed to expanding opportunities for young cricketers across the Caribbean, with the Next Gen programme set to expand to other markets in the future. As the tournament continues to grow its footprint across the region, initiatives like this remain central to support the efforts of Cricket West Indies to create the sport's next generation of stars.
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?You can re-watch the match on CPL’s YouTube channel here.
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