Saint Lucia Hosts CPL T20 Opener at the DSCG

Saint Lucia is all set to host its first-ever opening of the Caribbean Premier League [CPL] T20 tournament, today, (Wednesday), as matches bowl off at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground [DSCG].

Saint Lucia Kings batsman, Johnson Charles. — Johnson Charles hits another half-century for Saint Lucia Kings

Sports Fans and supporters will get to see a total of six exciting matches spread over four days, from August 16 to 20 at the DSCG.

And Sports Minister Kenson Casimir is elated with this sports tourism event which he says can generate economic prospects for the country, as well as expose the ‘pristine beauty’ of the destination to the outside world.

“We are expecting an absolute bumper crowd on Wednesday to start the competition,” said Casimir.

“We have worked assiduously to ensure that the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground continues to be the best in the region …and I feel in terms of the investment this government has put into the infrastructure, our people will be impressed with the venue and impressed with the actual layout of the place, and most importantly, impressed with the pitch,” he added.

Casimir acknowledged the hard work of head curator Ken Crafton as “he and his team continue to do an immaculate job at that venue.”

The sports minister added: “So, we are expecting Saint Lucia Kings to reign supreme this time around …and we are hoping that this year we can certainly take it home.”

He said the authorities have ensured that monthly maintenance work is executed at the DSCG, and lately have hired a maintenance supervisor for the upkeep of the facility.

Repairs have been undertaken with roofing and other aspects of the structure and “so we continue through Sports Saint Lucia Incorporated (SSI) and National Lotteries Authority (NLA) every month to invest in the upliftment of the DSCG,” the minister explained.

While promoting the sports-tourism product in Saint Lucia, he added: “Saint Lucia is going to be exposed to the rest of the world …we know the sporting population of cricket nations like India is huge, and in Europe and South America—Saint Lucia will be exposed to a lot of those nations.

“And once people see the natural beauty of Saint Lucia on display for the rest of the world, we expect huge economic benefits. It’s a huge sports tourism product.”

Casimir is pleased that some young Saint Lucian players are in the Kings’ squad. He spoke of the likes of young seamer Mc. Kenny Clarke as a “good prospect” for Saint Lucia and other individuals in the camp “that will get at least an opportunity to display their talent to the region and the rest of the world.”

Other locals on the team include West Indies batter Johnson Charles and former ‘Windies’ U-19 captain Kimani Melius.

He asserted: “We truly expect this young cadre of West Indies – Saint Lucian cricketers will break into the West Indies Senior team and continue to perform and put Saint Lucia on the map.

“And so, it is incumbent upon us to have the necessary programmes for them…and after conversations with the owners of the Saint Lucia Kings, we have informed them of a couple of programmes that we will unveil immediately after CPL to keep these individuals that we identify as being talented in the programme that is sustainable, and will ensure that they continue to play cricket at a high level.”

At a media briefing, Tuesday, Saint Lucia Kings captain Faf Du Plessis declared: “The full squad is available and we have been practicing everyone’s fit …we have some new faces which is exciting. We have some young local players who are coming through and I’m excited to see what they can do and know the best thing to do is to start your campaign at home.

“We love playing at home, we love playing in front of our fans and it’s a great feeling… and I’m excited for the Caribbean.”