The 6ixty: All you need to know about West Indies’ new 10-over format that precedes CPL 2022

The CPL has announced a tournament named ‘The 6ixty‘, which will be played from August 24 to 28, before the 10th edition of the T20 competition kicks off soon after. Six men’s and three women’s franchises will participate in the tournament, with an 85% squad strength expected.

The organisers expect the event to become a quarterly one with time, which can be staged at various regions.

The 6ixty is set to be launched in partnership with the Cricket West Indies, thereby making it the first full-member board to introduce a T10 competition. Chris Gayle will act as an ambassador for the tournament.

60 balls, 6 men’s teams, 3 women’s teams, radical new rules. Join us as we see the CPL teams compete in @6ixtycricket #CricketsPowerGame #6ixtyCricket #CPL22 https://t.co/i8TGhUFafz

— CPL T20 (@CPL) June 22, 2022

The format is predominantly a T10 one, but there are notable twists in the rules.

Here are the set of rules for “The 6ixty”

• Each batting team will have six wickets, rather than the conventional ten
• Teams will bowl five consecutive overs from one end, before switching to the other for the remaining five, rather than switching ends after each over
• Batting teams can ‘unlock’ a floating third powerplay over by hitting two sixes in the initial two-over powerplay
• A fielder will be removed if the team fails to complete its 10 overs in the allotted 45 minutes
• Fans will be able to vote for a ‘mystery free hit’ via an app or website

“You’re going to get some people saying ‘this isn’t cricket’ but my view is that cricket is absolutely the most important element of it,” CPL CEO Pete Russell told ESPNcricinfo. 

“It’s just about trying to generate excitement and interest. It’s like what’s going on with golf right now – you have to look at things through a different lens sometimes. This is about a totally new audience. We’re very much going after the younger generation.”

Russell added that the West Indies is the perfect destination for the unique tournament.

“It suits the Caribbean way of playing cricket,” he said. “Those T10 tournaments have done well and are run by local cricket boards on a shoestring, really, but have been well supported by the players.”

The West Indies players will be available to participate in the competition after the completion of the home white-ball series leg against New Zealand, featuring three T20Is, followed by as many ODIs, with the last game to be played on August 22.