CARIBBEAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2018: 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...

The Caribbean Premier League gets under way this week

What is the competition?

The Caribbean Premier League is West Indies domestic cricket’s 20 overs a side competition.

When does it take place?

It kicks off on August 8, and concludes with the final at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on September 16. 

Click here for the full fixture list.

^{Chris Gayle is among the star attractions}

Who is involved?

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

Each team will each other twice in a group stage format – once at home and once away. Those in the top four places within each group will proceed to the play-offs, where first plays second - the winner of which going straight to the final - and third plays fourth. The loser of the first versus second game plays the winner of the third versus fourth encounter to decide who goes through.

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.

One slight tweak is the penalising of a team who fails to return a fast enough over rate through their net run rate.

There are 34 matches in total

How can I follow it?

The CPL will be broadcast on TV via Sky Sports Cricket, as live coverage begins with St Lucia Stars taking on Trinbago Knight riders at 12.30am (August 9 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 Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo.

There are also run-outs for the banned Australian pair of Steve Smith and David Warner.

Click here for all the squads.

Can Trinbago Knight Riders defend their title?

Who has form in the competition?

Last season's competition was won by Trinbago Knight Riders, for the second time in three years.

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

Then again, this is franchise cricket and the squads change considerably from year to year, so...

Who are the favourites?

Trinbago are fancied by the bookies, with most odds available at around 13/5. St Kitts and Jamaica are available at fours, with Barbados and St Lucia at 5/1 and Guyana the outsiders (6/1).