Watch: During a CPL 2023 match at Basseterre, Sunil Narine became the first cricketer to get a red card for over-rate violation.

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Ahead of the 2023 edition, the Caribbean Premier League authorities came up with a novel idea to combat the perennial problem of slow over rates.

If teams did not bowl their 17th overs by 72 minutes 15 seconds, they would be forced to bring a fifth fielder inside the 30-yard circle. And if they failed to bowl the 18th by 76 minutes 30 seconds, there would be a mandatory sixth fielder – leaving only three outside the circle.

And if they failed to bowl the 19th by 80 minutes 45 seconds, they would have to face penalty that would reduce cricket to a 10 versus 11 contest: “One fielder will be eliminated from the field before the beginning of the 20th over and six fielders inside the circle. The fielder to be eliminated can be chosen by the fielding captain.”

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At Warner Park, the Trinbago Knight Riders fell behind time against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, and had to bring one, then another, fielder inside the 30-yard circle. However, when they fell short again, after 19 overs, the umpire brandished a red card.

On air, Ian Bishop called it a “historic moment”: cricket has seen a red card before, but Billy Bowden’s gesture at Glenn McGrath was an act in jest, almost certainly pre-planned. This was different.

Of course, Trinbago captain Kieron Pollard could choose whom to send off. He opted for Sunil Narine, who had bowled out for excellent figures of 4-0-24-3.

With only two fielders outside the circle – as it is in the powerplay – Sherfane Rutherford hit out to take 18 off the last over, bowled by Dwayne Bravo to finish on a 38-ball 62. The Patriots made 178-5.

Trinbago became 32-2 in response before Nicholas Pooran (61 in 32 balls) led a counterattack. Pollard (37 not out in 16 balls) and Andre Russell (23 not out in 8) put on 32 in two overs to finish the match with 17 balls to spare.

Watch Sunil Narine being shown a red card at CPL 2023:

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