Result of CPL final should be declared “null and void” – Neil Kumar

Director of Sport Neil Kumar has issued the following statement in the aftermath of the decision to award the Caribbean Premeir League (CPL) title to the Barbados Tridents:

I wish to comment on the controversial outcome of the second Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final, played between the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Barbados Tridents on August 16 in St Kitts and Nevis.

It is incumbent upon me to highlight a few sections of the playing conditions, or rules, of the tournament.

I have copied and pasted those sections below, verbatim, which may apply given the circumstances that obtained before, during and after the game, not only for the fans of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, but also for anyone who follows the game of cricket.

12.4    Length of Innings

12.4.1  Uninterrupted Matches.

a) Each team shall bat for 20 overs unless all out earlier.

b) If the team fielding first fails to bowl the required number of overs by the scheduled time for cessation of the first innings, play shall continue until the required number of overs has been bowled. The length of the interval shall be reduced as per clause 15.1 (minimum 10 minutes) and the second session shall begin at the scheduled time or ten minutes after the end of the first innings (whichever is later). The team batting second shall receive its full quota of 20 overs irrespective of the number of overs it bowled in the scheduled time for the cessation of the first innings.

c) If the team batting first is dismissed in less than 20 overs, the team batting second shall be entitled to bat for 20 overs.

d) If the team fielding second fails to bowl 20 overs by the scheduled cessation time, the hours of play shall be extended until the required number of overs has been bowled or a result is achieved.

e)  Penalties shall apply for slow over rates (refer to the Code of Conduct).

12.4.2 Delayed or Interrupted Matches

a) Delay or Interruption to the Innings of the team batting first (see Appendix 2)

i) When playing time has been lost the revised number of overs to be bowled in the match shall be based on a rate of 15 overs per hour in the total remaining time available for play.

vi)  Penalties shall apply for slow over rates (refer to the Code of Conduct).

b) Delay or Interruption to the innings of the team batting second (see Appendix 3)

i) When playing time has been lost and, as a result, it is not possible for the team batting second to have the opportunity of receiving its allocated, or revised allocation of overs in the playing time available, the number of overs shall be reduced at a rate of 15 overs per hour in respect of the lost playing time. Should the calculations result in a fraction of an over the fraction shall be ignored.

ii) In addition, should the innings of the team batting first have been completed prior to the scheduled, or re-scheduled time for the commencement of the interval, then any calculation relating to the revision of overs shall not be effective until an amount of time equivalent to that by which the second innings started early has elapsed.

iii) To constitute a match, a minimum of 5 overs have to be bowled to the team batting second subject to a result not being achieved earlier.

iv) The team batting second shall not bat for a greater number of overs than the first team unless the latter completed its innings in less than its allocated overs.

v) A fixed time will be specified for the close of play by applying a rate of 15 overs per hour. The timing and duration of all relative delays, extensions in playing hours and interruptions in play, will be taken into consideration in specifying this time.

vi) If the team fielding second fails to bowl the revised overs by the scheduled or re-scheduled close of play, the hours of play shall be extended until the overs have been bowled or a result achieved.

vii)  Penalties shall apply for slow over rates (refer to the Code of Conduct).

12.5    Extra Time

Where the start of play is delayed or play is suspended for whatever reason, up to one (1) hour of extra time may be added.

As regards slow over rate, the Guyana Amazon Warriors bowled 20 overs in 95 minutes, while the Barbados Tridents bowled 15.5 overs in 93 minutes. This clearly shows that the Tridents deliberately dragged on the game, while the umpires continued to smile.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), the Cricket Committee of CPL and the International Cricket Council (ICC) must explain their role in the CPL tournament. Further, the Amazon Warriors Management must diligently pursue their appeal of the decision to award the game to Barbados Tridents to the ICC.

The Caribbean people are expressing total disgust at the outcome. Is the sponsor of the Tridents team guilty of something? Who owns the Tridents? Who owns the CPL?

In view of how the game was conducted, I call on the WICB, the Cricket Committee of CPL and the ICC to reverse the decision taken on the final and that the match be declared null and void, or a no result.

I also feel compelled to attach, as part of this statement, a complete copy of the “Playing Conditions of the Caribbean Premier League 2014” for your own perusal.

I thank all cricket fans for their continued support of the Guyana Amazon Warriors.