Capacity crowds anticipated in Caribbean Premier League

Port of Spain: The organisers are expecting an overwhelming response after tickets for the final and semifinals of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) went on sale.

The Twenty20 tournament is set to bowl off next month and showcase some of the leading names in the game like Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen and Lasith Malinga, reports CMC.

CPL chief executive Damien O'Donohoe said the organisers were anticipating capacity crowds for the three matches, all scheduled for the Queen’s Park Oval here.

“CPL is always the hottest ticket in town. We know that all three games will be a sell out at the Queen’s Park Oval so I urge fans to book early to avoid disappointment. We can’t wait to see who will be battling it out in the finals in front of what is bound to be a fantastic crowd at one of the Caribbean’s most iconic venues," O'Donohoe said.

The key championship games are returning to Queen’s Park Oval this year after being played at Warner Park in St. Kitts last year. Queen’s Park Oval hosted the semi-finals and final in the inaugural edition in 2013.

Tickets for the semi-finals have been priced at $12.50 while spectators pay $15 to see the final.

Six franchises -- title-holders Barbados Tridents, last year’s losing finalists Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, St. Lucia Zouks, Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel and new boys St. Kitts Patriots -- will contest the CPL. The tournament bowls off on June 20 at the Kensington Oval with a re-match of last year’s final.