(Cricket news) Cricket West Indies and the Caribbean Premier League have launched a new 60-ball format which is set for August 24th to 28th. The new format is meant to attract the younger generation of sports enthusiasts and fans will be able to vote for the timing of the free hits and early sixes as well as unlock an additional powerplay over. As things stand, six men’s CPL teams and three women's teams will be taking part. 

As per the new format, each team will have six wickets and 60 balls per innings, with a team bowling too slowly risking the loss of a fielder. There will be 30 balls from one end and the remaining 30 balls from the other end and hitting two sixes from the first 12 balls would result in an additional powerplay over. Fans will also be able to vote for an additional mystery free hit. The timing of the event is set to clash with the second half of The Hundred, which could result in a loss in viewers for the ECB. 

Ricky Skerritt, Cricket West Indies president, said: "The 6ixty has come about because of a close collaboration between CPL and CWI which is the way forward. I am really excited about the innovation, excitement and entertainment that it is going to bring to the fans."

Pete Russell, CPL CEO, said: "This is a hugely exciting moment for both CPL and Cricket West Indies as we create a tournament that will see cricket fans brought closer to the game. There will be world-class men's and women's cricketers taking part in a fantastic event for the Caribbean and this combined with cutting-edge innovations, signals a great moment for all fans of West Indian cricket."

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