With the Player Draft for the 2015 Limacol Caribbean Premier League over and done with, attention begins to turn to the competition itself, which gets under way on Saturday 20 June.
Each team has chosen 15 players from both the Caribbean and around the world for the third edition of the CPL, which will take place over five weeks and end with the final on Sunday 26 July.
YOU CAN SEE THE FULL LINE-UPS FOR EVERY CPL TEAM RIGHT HERE!
But who were the winners and losers on Player Draft night in Kingston, Jamaica? The CPL's international director of cricket, Tom Moody, did the honours:
THE BARBADOS TRIDENTS
POST-DRAFT RATING: 6.5/10
Star Man: Kieron Pollard
Value: $150,000
Analysis: Kieron, a key retained player for the Tridents, has not only shown terrific captaincy skills but is one of the game's most destructive all-rounders. The combination of his power hitting in the middle order along with his clever medium pacers will provide balance and match-winning capabilities for the Tridents.
Value Pick: Robin Peterson
Value: $10,000
Analysis: An experienced spinning all-rounder who will enjoy bowling on the various surfaces around the Caribbean, Robin also provides a versatile batting option anywhere from 1 to 7. His left-arm spin will compliment retained Shoaib Malik’s off spin.
One To Watch: Jason Holder
Value: $50,000
Analysis: Jason is growing with experience daily - there is no doubt he will only grow with the current opportunities he is receiving with West Indies Cricket (he's captain of the ODI side). An all-rounder who can have a real impact with the ball and can comfortably bat in the top 7 in any T20 side.
SUMMARY: Having retained their big four, Pollard, Malik, Smith & Rampaul on the top four levels, it made it hard for the Tridents to flex their muscles in the draft. A lot will be dependent on the form and fitness of these players. Bowling looks to be their main strength with their batting depth being tested.
THE GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS
POST-DRAFT RATING: 6.5/10
Star Man: Lasith Malinga
Value: $100,000
Analysis: Lasith has proven over his distinguished career that he can turn a match on its head very quickly, recognised as the best death bowler in the world. The combination of Malinga and Narine in the warriors attack looks potentially daunting.
Value Pick: Brad Hodge
Value: $20,000
Analysis: At $20,000 one of the best pick-ups of the draft, Brad is one of the most experienced T20 batsman in the world and will provide great stability and calm to the warriors batting line-up. Even though Brad is 40 years old he still can mix it with the best.
One To Watch: Christopher Barnwell
Value: $30,000
Analysis: Christopher is a powerful middle-order batsman who has the skill to turn a match with the bat but also, with his lively medium pacers, he can have an impact with the ball. A valuable all-rounder who will have an influence on most games he’s involved in.
SUMMARY: The Warriors have held a strong advantage at home but with the cloud currently over Narine with his bowling action and the injury concern over Malinga there is a little uncertainty in the air. The other potential issue is the strong Sri Lankan contingent they have in Perera, Dilshan and Malinga and the clash of international fixtures during the tournament.
THE JAMAICA TALLAWAHS
POST-DRAFT RATING: 9/10
Star Man: Chris Gayle
Value: $150,000
Analysis: Chris is the “Big Show” when it comes to T20 cricket globally. It was a given that he was going to be retained at top dollar as you would expect, because Chris still shows he is the most feared batsman in the world - and things aren’t going to change in the near future!
Value Pick: Krishmar Santokie
Value: $15,000
Analysis: It is amazing that Krishmar slipped through the net, on record as one of the most effective domestic T20 bowlers in the world. Has had his recent injury problems but at home in Jamaica I'm sure he’ll be well managed for CPL 2015. Great buy at $15,000.
One To Watch: Chris Lynn
Value: $70,000
Analysis: Chris is a star on the rise, he has shown in the Big Bash his batting capabilities along with his fielding. Has the ability to shift gears at the crease and can match it with the best when he wants to find the boundary. Chris will add to an already powerful batting unit at the Tallawahs.
SUMMARY: A very cleverly put together squad with great depth of strength in all departments, it’s hard to find a weak point in this line-up. The Tallawahs boast quality match-winners down their list with some wise old heads in Daniel Vettori and Mahela Jayawardene.
THE ST KITTS & NEVIS PATRIOTS
POST-DRAFT RATING: 7/10
Star Man: Shahid Afridi
Value: $150,000
Analysis: Afridi has proven over the past 15 years he is a force to be reckoned with, a genuine match-winner with bat & ball who can turn a game with a blink of an eye. Real star quality that will thrill the crowds around the Caribbean with his power hitting & lethal spin bowling, the ground in St Kitts just won't be big enough!
Value Pick: Nicholas Pooran
Value: $5,000
Analysis: Even though there is an injury cloud over this young emerging star at $5,000 a smart buy for the long term. Nicholas showed his immense talent with Red Steel last season, a dynamic batsman at the top of the order and capable keeper who adds critical all-round skill to your top 6.
One To Watch: Evin Lewis
Value: $30,000
Analysis: Evin has shown his power game at the top of the order for teams in the recent past, he has the range of shots that can stop any attack in their tracks. Expect big things from this exciting left-hander in the opening position.
SUMMARY: The new franchise had first choice at the top level and secured one of T20’s biggest match winners in Afridi. They appear to have greater depth than last years' franchise but the pressure will be on Samuels, Lewis & Guptill to fire in their top order.
THE ST. LUCIA ZOUKS
POST-DRAFT RATING: 8/10
Star Man: Kevin Pietersen
Value: $80,000
Analysis: KP has recently shown in the Big Bash that he's still got it and more, a genuinely world-class batsman that can play all forms of the game with great ease. KP will be the backbone of the Zouks and will be available for the whole tournament which will create a great opportunity for the Zouks in 2015.
Value Pick: Kemar Roach
Value: $10,000
Analysis: One of the West Indies' leading quick bowlers who has had T20 experience around the world. Bowls with good pace and has the variety to go with that pace, and will enjoy the pacey conditions on his new home ground.
One To Watch: Shane Shillingford
Value: $10,000
Analysis: A lot of responsibility will rest on his shoulders given he's the main specialist spinner in the ranks. Will be supported by Shakib Al Hasan for part of the tournament, but the team will be looking to him to stamp his mark on the game.
SUMMARY: The Zouks look a far better unit this season with their world-class batting strength, which provides many exciting options in their top six. The one area of concern is their lack of spin options once Shakib Al Hasan goes off to his international commitments. A season where Zouks should find themselves playing the finals.
THE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO RED STEEL
POST-DRAFT RATING: 7/10
Star Man: Jaques Kallis
Value: $100,000
Analysis: One of the greatest all-rounders to have played the game, Jacques recently retired from South African cricket but has shown this year in the Big Bash he's still got what it takes. Red Steel were the lucky ones to acquire the skills of Jacques, who plays an important role at the top of the order and always has an impact with the ball in hand.
Value Pick: Kamran Akmal
Value: $30,000
Analysis: Wealth of experience around the T20 World provides great all-round skills to the Red Steel team. Kamran is a dangerous top-order batsman who has the ability to take the game away from the opponent.
One To Watch: Johan Botha
Value: $50,000
Analysis: A very experienced T20 player who has played in all conditions. His right-arm off-spin has proved a challenge to all, whether that is in the powerplay overs or the middle of the innings. A creative middle-order batsman who reads the game situation well, and will add to the already strong leadership group at the Red Steel.
SUMMARY: The Red Steel boast a huge amount of experience within their squad, but the main area of concern is their pace bowling department. They have three excellent spinning options with the three B's Badree, Botha & Benn, but this could be at the expense of the lack of pace bowling options. This pressure will have to be shouldered by Bravo & Kallis, their two key all-rounders.
