The 12th season of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is set to commence on August 29, and it promises to be a thrilling spectacle with a host of T20 stars from the Caribbean and beyond. As the tournament gears up, several young cricketers are making headlines for their potential to shine brightly in the league. Here are five promising young West Indian cricketers to watch out for in CPL 2024, each poised to make a significant impact on the field.
Jewel Andrew
Jewel Andrew has five consecutive school centuries and leadership of the Leeward Islands U-15 team, he’s set high expectations at the age of 17. Andrew topped West Indies’ scoring at the U-19 World Cup, racking up 207 runs at an average of 69.00 and a strike rate of 109.52. Before that, he impressed in the Cool & Smooth T20 with 323 runs at an average of 40.38 and a strike rate of 110.62. His wicketkeeping skills add depth to the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, and if he debuts in CPL 2024, he could become the youngest player in the league, breaking Nicholas Pooran’s record.
Matthew Forde
At 22, Matthew Forde is a rising star to watch. Already making waves in T20Is and various franchise leagues like the Lanka Premier League, Pakistan Super League, and Global T20 Canada, Forde’s performances this season could cement his spot in the West Indies’ white-ball squads and catch the eye of IPL teams. Inspired by Andre Russell and mentored by Pedro Collins, who recommended him to St Lucia Kings’ coach Daren Sammy.
Nathan Edward
Nathan Edward, the left-arm quick from Sint Maarten, brings a fresh edge to the Trinbago Knight Riders’ bowling lineup. With experience from two U-19 World Cups and a stint with the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Edward’s international exposure, including a title-winning role with Bahawalpur Royals in the Pakistan Junior League 2022, has been crucial. Mentored by Imran Tahir during that league, Edward is now set to face his mentor in CPL 2024, making his left-arm pace and potential a must-watch in the tournament.
Isai Thorne
Isai Thorne, a fast bowler with serious pace, is set for his full-time CPL debut with the Barbados Royals. Despite battling injuries at the age-group level, Thorne has shown resilience, shining as the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the 2023-24 Super 50. His speed will add a fiery edge to the Royals’ attack, complementing the likes of Obed McCoy and Naveen-ul-Haq. Having honed his skills as a development player with the West Indies Test team under Andre Coley, Thorne is a promising talent to keep an eye on this CPL season.
Kelvin Pitman
Kelvin Pitman, a young fast bowler, made a big splash in CPL 2023 with the Jamaica Tallawahs, snagging wickets like Mark Deyal, Nicholas Pooran, and Kieron Pollard, and finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 27. Returning to the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons for CPL 2024 as a pre-draft pick, Pitman’s potential is clear. At 21, his pace and knack for taking crucial wickets, along with his recent stint with the West Indies Academy and guidance from Rayad Emrit, make him a talent to watch this season.
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