CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2019: All you need to know

A host of global T20 stars will flock to the West Indies in the coming weeks. Here are TV times, fixtures, team news, odds and everything else you require to follow the competition...

What is the competition?

The Caribbean Premier League is West Indies' annual domestic 20-overs a-side competition.

When does it take place?

It kicks off on September 5 and concludes with the final at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on October 12. 

CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

Who is involved?

There are six franchises involved in the competition - Jamaica Tallawahs, Trinbago Knight Riders, St Lucia Zouks, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, Barbados Tridents and Guyana Amazon Warriors.

Each team will face each other twice in a group stage format – once at home and once away. Those finishing in the top four places will proceed to the play-offs, where first plays second in the ‘Qualifier 1’ - the winner of which goes straight to the final - and third plays fourth in an ‘Eliminator’ match. The winner of the Eliminator then faces the loser of Qualifier 1 in 'Qualifier 2' - the winner of which advances to the final.

What’s the format?

The Caribbean Premier League follows the standard T20 format, with bowlers allotted a maximum of four overs each. In each innings the first six overs constitute a Powerplay with no more than two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle.

For any no balls bowled, the batting team will be rewarded with two runs, as well as a free hit for any no-ball that isn’t called for being a short-pitched delivery that passes over head-height of the batsman.

^{Trinbago Knight Riders made it back-to-back wins in 2018}

How can I follow it?

The CPL will be broadcast on TV via Sky Sports Cricket, as live coverage begins with Guyana Amazon Warriors taking on St Lucia Zouks at 11pm (September 5 BST). All 34 matches are set to be screened across Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Mix and Sky Sports Main Event.

Who is playing?

A host of global stars will appear once again, including home favourites such as Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran.

Alex Hales - currently out of the England picture - will represent Barbados Tridents, New Zealand’s Colin Munro lends his services to Trinbago Knight Riders and South African Rassie van der Dussen will pull on the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots shirt.

CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE SQUADS

Who has form in the competition?

Trinbago Knight Riders made it back-to-back wins in 2018, securing their third title (also winning in 2015 while known as Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel) in the space of four years.

Jamaica Tallawahs have won the competition twice, in 2013 and 2016. St Kitts, St Lucia and Guyana (who have been four-time runners-up) have never lifted the trophy.

Who are the favourites?

Unsurprisingly, Trinbago are fancied by the bookies with major outlets offering odds at around 2/1. Jamaica are second favourites at around 3/1 with Barbados next in the region of 4/1.

Guyana are available at fives, with St Lucia 6/1 and St Kitts the outsiders.