A host of Aussies and other internationals superstars have descended on the Caribbean. Here's why:
CPL T20: All you need to know
What is it?
The Caribbean Premier League features six clubs from Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia and St Kitts and Nevis, who will play off in 34 matches culminating in the final on August 7.
The 2016 season is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet, with an array of local West Indies and international stars descending on the Caribbean.
When is it?
The tournament kicks off on Thursday morning at 11am AEST at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain as the Trinbago Knight Riders take a St Lucia Zouks team featuring Mike Hussey and Shane Watson.
Day matches take place at 2am AEST, while evening and night games will start at (more viewing friendly, if you’re on this side of the globe) times between 6am and midday. View the full fixture list here.
What’s this about the United States?
For the first time, CPL matches will be played on US soil. Six matches will be played in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to round out the group stage of the tournament.
How can I follow it?
Fox Sports will broadcast every match of the tournament. For those without access to Fox Sports' paid subscription service, cricket.com.au will continue its comprehensive free, ball-by-ball live scoring service as well as video highlights and news from the tournament.
Keep up with all the action via these social media channels:
Facebook: cricket.com.au, Twitter, Instagram and add 'cricketcomau' on Snapchat
BARBADOS TRIDENTS
Home ground: Kensington Oval, Bridgetown
Coach: Robin Singh
Captain: Kieron Pollard
Last year: Runners-up (six wins, five losses)
The Aussies: none
Key internationals: Kieron Pollard, Jason Holder (WI), AB de Villiers, David Wiese, Wayne Parnell (SA), Shoaib Malik (Pak)
Squad: Kieron Pollard (captain), AB de Villiers, Shoaib Malik, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder, Ravi Rampaul, David Wiese, Robin Peterson, Raymon Reifer, Ashley Nurse, Wayne Parnell, Akeal Hosein, Imran Khan, Kyle Hope, Navin Stewart, Kyle Corbin, Steven Taylor, Shamar Springer
They say: “On the field we intend to win by playing good cricket. Our squad features several world class players who can change any game. Working together as a unit is important for our team's success.” - Tridents Owner Vijay Mallya.
GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS
Home ground: Providence Stadium, Georgetown
Coach: Roger Harper
Captain: Martin Guptill
Last year: 3rd (five wins, five losses, one no result)
The Aussies: Chris Lynn, Adam Zampa
Key internationals: Martin Guptill (NZ), Sohail Tanvir (Pak), Dwayne Smith (WI)
Squad: Sohail Tanvir, Martin Guptill (captain), Dwayne Smith, Chris Lynn, Devendra Bishoo, Rayad Emrit, Adam Zampa, Jason Mohammed, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Orlando Peters, Assad Fudadin, Anthony Bramble, Paul Wintz, Steven Jacobs, Steven Katwaroo, Ali Khan, Shimron Hetmyer
They say: “Our internationals will of course grab a lot of attention and we expect them to lead from the front. We also have a number of regional and local players that will have a great impact on the CPL this year; players like Rayad Emrit, Christopher Barnwell and Veerasammy Permaul.”- coach Roger Harper.
JAMAICA TALLAWAHS
Home ground: Sabina Park, Kingston
Coach: Paul Nixon
Captain: Chris Gayle
Last year: 4th (four wins, six losses, one no result)
The Aussies: Alex Ross
Key internationals: Chris Gayle, Andre Russell (WI), Kumar Sangakkara (SL), Shakib al Hasan (Ban), Dale Steyn (SA)
Squad: Chris Gayle (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Shakib Al Hasan, Andre Russell, Imad Wasim, Dale Steyn, Rovman Powell, Chadwick Walton, Jon-Russ Jaggesar, Andre McCarthy, Jonathan Foo, Alex Ross, Kesrick Williams, Nkrumah Bonner, Garey Mathurin, Timroy Allen, O’shane Thomas
They say: “We are confident and happy with the direction we are heading at this early stage.” – coach Paul Nixon.
ST KITTS AND NEVIS PATRIOTS
Home ground: Warner Park, Basseterre
Coach: Eric Simons
Captain: Faf du Plessis
Last year: Last (four wins, six losses)
The Aussies: Brad Hodge
Key internationals: Lendl Simmons, Samual Badree, Carlos Brathwaite (WI), Faf du Plessis, Tabraiz Shamsi (SA)
Squad: Lendl Simmons, Faf du Plessis (captain), Samuel Badree, Carlos Brathwaite, Brad Hodge, Thisara Perera, Jonathan Carter, Krishmar Santokie, Evin Lewis, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kieran Powell, JJ Smuts, Devon Thomas, Shamarh Brooks, Tino Best, Jeremiah Louis, Nikhil Dutta, Alzarri Joseph
They say: “The tournament will throw up surprises and it is tough to predict who the surprise will be, but every one of the Patriots squad is capable of being a match winner.” – coach Eric Simons.
ST LUCIA ZOUKS
Home ground: Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Inlet
Coach: Stuart Williams
Captain: Darren Sammy
Last year: 5th (four wins, five losses, one no result)
The Aussies: Shane Watson, Mike Hussey
Key internationals: Darren Sammy (WI), David Miller, Morne Morkel (SA), Grant Elliot (NZ)
Squad: David Miller, Shane Watson, Darren Sammy (captain), Michael Hussey, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Morne Morkel, Denesh Ramdin (to be replaced by Miguel Cummins after 11 July), Derone Davis, Grant Elliott, Kristopher Ramsaran, Shane Shillingford, Delorn Johnson, Kyle Mayers, Keddy Lesporis, Nitish Kumar, Gidron Pope
They say: "With Mr. Cricket Mike Hussey and Darren Sammy, fans can expect some exciting matches. I’m also looking to the Zouks to keep moving forward." – coach Stuart Williams.
TRINBAGO KNIGHT RIDERS
Home ground: Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain
Coach: Simon Helmot
Captain: Dwayne Bravo
Last year: Champions (eight wins, four losses)
The Aussies: none
Key internationals: Dwayne Bravo, Darren Bravo, Sunil Narine (WI), Brendon McCullum (NZ), Hashim Amla (SA)
Squad: Dwayne Bravo (captain), Brendon McCullum, Darren Bravo, Sunil Narine, Hashim Amla, Umar Akmal, Kevon Cooper, Sulieman Benn, Colin Munro, Anton Devcich, Ronsford Beaton, Nikita Miller, Javon Searles, William Perkins, Yannick Cariah, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Hamza Tariq, Anderson Phillip
They say: “We’ve got some superstars. So we’ve got some exciting cricketers playing with us this season and if we can gel well together, and play well together, then I’m sure we will have some success together.” – coach Simon Helmot.