Cayman Islands T10 League Aims to Rival Football with Star-Studded Lineup
The inaugural MAX 60 Caribbean League, set to launch this Sunday in the picturesque Cayman Islands, could be a game-changer for the T10 format. Featuring a star-studded line-up, including former Australian captain David Warner, the tournament is backed by Caribbean cricket boards and sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The eight-day event will see six teams compete across 25 matches. The participating teams are the T10 Abu Dhabi Champions New York Strikers, Caribbean Giants, Grand Cayman Stingrays, Boca Raton Trailblazers, Caribbean Tigers, and Miami Lions.
Warner, who recently retired from international cricket, adds to the T20 merry-go-round he's already a part of. Other notable players participating in the MAX 60 include Thisara Perera, Sikandar Raza, Dwayne Bravo, and Alex Hales.
While player salaries and salary caps remain undisclosed, it's evident that significant financial backing fuels this nascent league. "Player payments are in line with similar leagues globally," confirmed Dario Barthley, the tournament's chief executive. "This ensured we could secure major international players alongside emerging talent and 15 local players who will receive higher than ever before."
Warner's involvement adds significant weight to a tournament attempting to carve out space in a crowded cricket landscape. "David Warner is a huge signing and association for this league," said Barthley. "He's achieved everything in T20 cricket, and we're fortunate to have him endorse this league and showcase his talent for the people of the Cayman Islands and the world."
The Cayman Islands, known for its pristine beaches and thriving tourism and financial industries, might not immediately spring to mind as a cricketing hotbed. However, the sport has thrived there for decades, with the nation becoming an ICC member in 1997. The MAX 60 will aim to showcase the island's passion for cricket against a glamorous backdrop.
"The Cayman Islands actually has a rich cricketing culture, both among locals and the expatriate community," Barthley explained. "People talk about the days when all the big West Indies players used to visit. With the scenery the Cayman Islands has to offer, bringing a tournament of this stature here was a no-brainer. We consider this a long-term investment in the future of Cayman Islands cricket and will be involved in programmes focused on longer formats, but we understand the importance of community."
The T10 format, featuring 10 overs per side and a game length of around 90 minutes, is not yet recognised as an official international format. However, it has gained significant traction in recent years, particularly among those who believe it can rival football in popularity.
Tavengwa Mukuhlani, ICC board director and Zimbabwe chief, is a prominent supporter of the T10 format. Zimbabwe launched its own T10 competition last year to explore alternative revenue streams. "I think for the ICC they have a number of considerations. There are three formats, but two are struggling other than T20s," Mukuhlani stated in late 2022.
While T10 cricket isn't yet part of the official international calendar, a successful MAX 60 could provide momentum for the format. "We think that MAX60 will be profitable a lot quicker than we have seen with franchise tournaments in the past," said Barthley. "The rise of T10 is clear for all to see. High-octane, fast-paced cricket is appealing to the wider general public. I can't imagine anything better than watching the best cricketers in the world hit sixes against the backdrop of the beautiful sun, sea and sand that the Caribbean has to offer."
