As in the previous two years, the Championship will involve two stages to decide, first, the Carib Beer Cup (top territorial team) and, subsequently, the winner of the Carib Beer International Challenge.

“Along with the recent announcement of our relationship with Trinidad & Tobago cricket, this is an exciting addition to our sponsorship list,” remarked Norman Sabga, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ansa McAl, the group that owns Carib Brewery.

“The West Indies first-class cricket championship, now the Carib Beer Cricket Series, is one of the biggest competitions on the Caribbean sports calendar. We see a close link between Carib Beer and the West Indies first-class competition.

“As the official beer of the West Indies cricket team, our vision is for Carib Beer to become the most sought after Caribbean beer in the international market place, consolidating our position as the beer of the Caribbean.

“We know this vision will not be lost on many of the players who will participate in the Carib Beer Cricket Series, as they too, seek to be among some of most sought after cricketers in the world.”

Rev. Wes Hall, President of the West Indies Cricket Board, agreed that Carib Beer and cricket are firmly rooted in the way of life of Caribbean people.

“We’ve enjoyed a wonderful partnership with Carib Beer over the years and we are very pleased that this relationship has been expanded to the West Indies first-class championship as the Title Sponsor,” Hall said.

“This is a very important competition in West Indies cricket as it is a stepping stone for players into the senior West Indies team. We are looking forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with one of the premier companies in the Caribbean.”

Carib Beer was previously involved with West Indies cricket when they were the Official Sponsor of the West Indies team to the 1999 World Cup in Britain and the tour of the same nation a year later.

Carib Beer is the flagship brand of the Trinidad & Tobago-based Carib Brewery, a truly Caribbean company with brands of high international standing and repute.