Barbados take on Windward Islands on the opening day

Defending champions Barbados take on Windward Islands on the opening day of the West Indian cricket season, which gets underway on January 7. In the two other matches on the first day of the Carib Beer League Cup, Guyana visit Trinidad & Tobago while Jamaica host Leeward Islands at home.

This year the tournament will be played on a home and away basis and the Carib Beer League is scheduled to be completed on March 14. The two top teams in the League will meet in the Carib Beer Challenge over five days beginning on March 18. The runner-up must defeat the League champions outright to win the Challenge Trophy.

The League winner will receive the Carib Beer Cup and US$12,500 with the Man of the Match for each game receiving US$150 and a medallion. The winner of the Challenge will earn the Carib Beer Challenge Champion Trophy and US$5,000.

There are also individual prizes - named after West Indian legends - to be won with the top batsman, bowler, fielder, allrounder and wicketkeeper each collecting US$1500.