The St Lucia Stars have been removed from the 2019 edition of the Caribbean Premier League.

The CPL’s media release did not elaborate on the reason for the Stars’ termination, but did state ‘the process of establishing and operating a new franchise to be based in St Lucia’ has started.

‘We completely disagree with the CPL press release and will be working to address any issues the CPL may have in an appropriate manner and forum,’ Stars chief executive officer Jay Pandya told ESPNcricinfo.

Several outstanding payments are, reportedly, behind the Stars’ removal from the tournament.

The Stars have never won a CPL, but finished third in 2016. Last year, they ended fifth in the six-team standings.

Proteas seamer Beuran Hendricks was drafted by the Stars for this year’s competition. Hendricks was a late addition to the Mumbai Indians’ squad for the 2019 Indian Premier League, but did not play a game. He previously represented the Kings XI Punjab in the IPL.

He later replaced the injured Dale Steyn in the Proteas’ World Cup squad in the United Kingdom – and went without a wicket in two fixtures.

Batsman Rassie van der Dussen, meanwhile, has been withdrawn from the St Kitts and Nevis squad. He has been replaced by Pakistani all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez.

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