Cricket West Indies and the Caribbean Premier League have launched The 6ixty, a new 60-ball tournament that will debut at Warner Park in St Kitts & Nevis in August.
The first edition of The 6ixty will feature men’s and women’s teams competing, with the tournament designed to reimagine the concept of T10 cricket and make the format faster-paced and more action-packed.
Future expansion plans for The 6ixty include the potential of multiple events at different locations around the Caribbean and beyond. Cricket West Indies and the CPL are currently working closely together to create another “world-class” event.
Cricket West Indies will serve as the majority owner of The 6ixty, with the CPL to oversee event organisation. Sports media platform Skyexch has been named title sponsor of the first event.
The rules of the tournament will see each batting team have six wickets and two PowerPlay overs. A third PowerPlay can be unlocked by hitting two sixes in the first 12 balls.
There will be 30 balls bowled from one end, with the action switching to the opposite end for the final 30 balls. No bowler will be able to bowl more than two overs for the innings and the 30 balls will be delivered as five separate overs.
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 also vote for the timing of a ‘Mystery Free Hit’ where a batter cannot be dismissed by the bowler.
Ricky Skerritt, president of Cricket West Indies, said: “The 6ixty has come about because of a close collaboration between CPL and CWI which is the way forward. I am really excited about the innovation, excitement and entertainment that it is going to bring to the fans.”
Pete Russell, chief executive of the CPL, added: “This is a hugely exciting moment for both CPL and Cricket West Indies as we create a tournament that will see cricket fans brought closer to the game. There will be world-class men’s and women’s cricketers taking part in a fantastic event for the Caribbean and this combined with cutting-edge innovations, signals a great moment for all fans of West Indian cricket.”
Image: Caribbean Premier League
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