Confirmed: Protected Players for the West Indies Breakout League

The inaugural West Indies Breakout League, a T20 cricket tournament designed to showcase emerging Caribbean talent, is set to commence from April 25th to May 10th, 2025, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad. Six franchise teams, mirroring the territorial boards of Cricket West Indies, have unveiled their protected players ahead of the player draft. These teams, representing Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, the Leeward Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Windward Islands, will each compete for the inaugural title. The league’s focus is firmly on unearthing and developing promising young players, offering them a pathway towards higher levels of professional cricket.

A key element of the league’s structure is the player selection process. Each franchise was permitted to protect seven players ahead of the draft, with specific criteria governing their choices. A maximum of three protected players could be aged between 27 and 29, ensuring a balance of experience and youthful potential. Furthermore, each team was required to protect at least one leg-spinner, highlighting the importance of this specialized bowling role in T20 cricket. The remaining players per team roster will be selected through a draft, with all drafted players being 26 years old or younger.

Eligibility criteria for the league are stringent, aimed at truly focusing on up-and-coming talent. All participating players must be under 30 at the start of the tournament, with limited professional experience in the shorter format of the game. This is defined as having played fewer than 40 List A T20 matches and fewer than 10 International T20s. This ensures the league provides a platform for players who have yet to fully establish themselves on the international stage. This developmental focus differentiates the Breakout League from established T20 leagues like the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), offering a unique opportunity for players to gain valuable experience and exposure.

The six franchises have strategically assembled their protected players, representing a diverse range of cricketing skills and experience within the defined age brackets. Trinidad & Tobago Legions, for instance, have opted for a blend of established names like Kamil Pooran and Amir Jangoo, alongside younger prospects such as Crystian Thurton and Micah McKenzie. Similarly, the Leeward Islands Thunder have protected experienced players like Jeremiah Louis and Keacy Carty, while also including talented youngsters like Mikyle Louis and Jewel Andrew. This strategic mix of experience and youth is a recurring theme across all six teams, highlighting the league’s commitment to both development and competitiveness.

The protected player lists also reveal the emphasis on nurturing local talent within each territory. The Guyana Rainforest Rangers, for example, have secured players like Nial Smith and Kemol Savory, alongside promising youngsters such as Riyad Latiff and Kevlon Anderson, all hailing from Guyana. Similarly, the Barbados Pelicans have protected a core of Barbadian players, including Leniko Boucher, Nyeem Young, and Kevin Wickham. This regional focus not only strengthens the connection between the teams and their respective communities but also contributes to the overall development of cricket within the Caribbean.

The West Indies Breakout League is not merely a standalone tournament but is designed to be a crucial stepping stone for aspiring Caribbean cricketers. The close affiliation of each Breakout League franchise with a CPL team provides a clear pathway for talented players to progress to the highest level of domestic T20 cricket in the region. This integrated structure fosters a cohesive development system, allowing players to showcase their skills and potentially earn contracts with CPL franchises. The Breakout League, therefore, represents a significant investment in the future of West Indies cricket, creating a platform for the next generation of stars to emerge.