Combined Americas squad for Super50

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

A Combined Americas squad will play in next year's NAGICO Super50, with the best players landing the chance of turning out in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced yesterday that the process to select the Americas representative team would begin in September, and be conducted in two phases.

West Indies Cricket Board president, Dave Cameron, said the Caribbean was thrilled with the venture, especially since development formed a major part of the WICB's mandate.

"The WICB takes its role to assist the development of cricket in the Americas region seriously, and, therefore, we are delighted to be supporting this initiative," he said.

"The Nagico Super50 and the CPL are important events on our annual calendar, and to extend opportunities to the best players in the Americas to compete in them is the right thing to do, in-line with ICC's strategy to grow cricket beyond its traditional boundaries."

Phase one will represent an open trial, with all eligible players in the Americas region welcomed to apply online. Players will then attend a trial hosted at the World Sports Park in Indianapolis from September 18-21.

Phase two will run from September 24-27, and will see the best players from Phase one involved in this trial, after which the squad will be selected.

positive step

Tim Anderson, the ICC's Head of Global Development, said the move was a positive step for the Americas region.

"It's exciting that the ICC, in co-operation with the WICB, is able to provide this opportunity to the best cricketers in the Americas region," Anderson said.

"The region is full of talented cricketers, with many in the USA and Canada; and through the innovative open trial, we hope to uncover some stars of the future."

The top performers coming out of the Super50 will be allowed to trial for the 2016 CPL.