An interesting new phase in West Indian cricket, with possible ramifications for the rest of the world has started.
A major private investor, American billionaire Alan Stanford, has put $US28million into a Twenty20 series in the West Indies.
Nineteen countries are involved in the competition and they are not only benefiting from prizemoney made available, but also development money for the game in their own countries.
Stanford is staging all the games at the Stanford Stadium in Antigua. A round of preliminary matches will be played, three teams eliminated and then four knockout rounds will be played with a semifinal on August 11 and a final two days later.
All games will be televised throughout the West Indies.
Stanford has lived in the Caribbean for more than 20 years and his goal is to improve cricket throughout the region.
The West Indies Cricket Board is not participating in the venture.
Stanford is also staging a $5million winner-takes-all match between the West Indies and South Africa later in the year.
