Gilchrist to play in Caribbean post IPL

Bridgetown (Barbados), March 22 (IANS/CMC)

Former Australia wicketkeeper batsman Adam Gilchrist has been named the second international franchise player to compete in the Caribbean Premier T20 League (CPL) starting July 29.

Gilchrist , who has toured the Caribbean three times as a player, joins his former Australia team-mate and captain Ricky Ponting as the latest international high-profile star to link up with the CPL.

For the Australian legend, the Caribbean is the scene of one of his greatest cricketing triumphs where he smashed 149 from only 104 balls in the final of the 2007 World Cup in Barbados.

“I am very excited to be on board with CPL, and am looking forward to coming back and playing cricket in one of the most beautiful places on the planet,” said Gilchrist.

“The CPL will feature some of the world’s best cricketers and I can’t wait to test my skills and play in what is going to be a dynamic and exciting competition.”

Gilchrist will find out which franchise he will be lining up for when the CPL draft takes place at the end of May.

He was part of the all-conquering Australia side that dominated cricket for more than a decade from the mid-1990s.

Besides Gilchrist and Ponting, the West Indies franchise players for the tournament are: Darren Sammy, Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard and Marlon Samuels.

“I always have fond memories of my time playing cricket in the Caribbean and visiting all of the stunning locations and attractions that are on offer for the players and spectators alike,” Gilchrist reminisced.

“Plus, I love playing the Twenty20 format and there is absolutely no better place anywhere to do this than the West Indies.”

Gilchrist, 41, also captained Australia in six Tests, 17 ODIs and two T20Is and is due to play for Kings X1 Punjab in the Indian Premier League ahead of his CPL commitment.