The GAW women show off their new kits ahead of commencement of today’s 6ixty
Cricket’s Power Game will descend on the Warner Park Stadium in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, today in what is sure to be an exhilarating new twist to the sport that the Caribbean knows and loves.
The SKYEXCH 6ixty, a collaboration between Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the Hero Caribbean Premier League, will bowl off at 10am today with the Trinbago Knight Riders and Barbados Royals women facing off. Local franchise the Guyana Amazon Warriors women will jump into action after, against the TKR women from 12.30pm.
The Amazon Warriors men will have their first taste of the 6ixty on Thursday, when they battle the St. Lucia Kings from 10am.
Face of the SKYEXCH 6ixty, Chris Gayle, sat down for a chat with ESPNCricinfo on the eve of the tournament, and discussed his expectations.
“I’m really and truly looking forward to it, to being on the field again. I missed it a bit. So, I’m really excited. I’m like a kid again, looking forward to his first game and excited for his debut,” Gayle shared.
The West Indian legend continued, “Some new rules, new innovations within this game, you know, shorter format as well. Pretty much excited. It’s creating a buzz within the Caribbean, all over the world as well. Everybody’s going to tune in and see what the 6ixty is all about,” he predicted.
“This is what the 6ixty is all about: you don’t want to run, you want to see the ball flying out of the park, getting those boundaries as well,” Gayle went on to add, as he expressed excitement at seeing the women compete in the fast-paced, 60-ball tournament.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors women, consisting of Stafanie Taylor (captain), Shemaine Campbelle, Rashada Williams, Rachael Vincent, Kaysia Schultz, Chedean Nation, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Shamilia Connell, Karishma Ramharack, Shabika Gajnabi and Zaida James, will make a claim to compete in, and hopefully win, Sunday’s 6ixty final.
The men’s team, namely: Shimron Hetmyer, Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, Colin Ingram, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shai Hope, Paul Stirling, Heinrich Klaasen, Keemo Paul, Jermaine Blackwood, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, John Campbell, Shermon Lewis, Ronsford Beaton, Matthew Nandu and Junior Sinclair, will have a similar goal.
The GAW teams will have to abide by the SKYEXCH 6ixty rules, which are as follows:
* Each batting team has six wickets – at the fall of the sixth wicket they are all out
* Each batting team has two PowerPlay overs. They can unlock a third PowerPlay by hitting two sixes in the first 12 balls. This extra PowerPlay over can be taken at any time between overs 3-9
* There will be 30 balls bowled from one end before the action switches to the other end for the final 30 balls
* The 30 balls will be delivered as 5 separate overs, with no bowler being able to bowl more than 2 overs for the innings.
* If teams do not bowl their overs within the allotted time a member of their team is removed from the field for the final six balls
* Fans will vote for the timing of a “Mystery Free Hit” where a batter can’t be dismissed by the bowlers
