Dunk was the Player of the Tournament in last year’s Big Bash League

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Numerous replacements have been made prior to the start of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), which gets underway today.

Former England batsman Owais Shah will replace Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad and represent the Jamaica Tallawahs. Shehzad will not be able to play in the CPL due to a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) training camp.

Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera, who was set to play for the Antigua Hawksbills, will be replaced by Australia batsman Ben Dunk since he will be touring England with the Sri Lanka A team.

The Hawksbills have also lost opening batsman Kieran Powell, who pulled out of the tournament due to personal reasons. Powell will be replaced by Jamaica batsman Shacaya Thomas.

The Barbados Tridents have signed West Indies batsman Kirk Edwards as a replacement for Pakistan batsman Imran Nazir, who withdrew from the tournament with an injury.

The St Lucia Zouks are also looking for a replacement for veteran Australia batsman Brad Hodge after he sustained a broken arm during a warm-up match.

“It goes to show the strength of the Caribbean Premier League that we are able to draft in such talented and popular replacements for those who are now unavailable,” CPL cricket operations director Michael Hall said. “Although international commitments and injuries have taken their toll, we are always confident of having plenty of talented cricketers ready and willing to step in.”