Marlon Samuels - File

West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels says it matters little whether or not he is selected to represent a franchise team in Jamaica during the upcoming inaugural Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20.

The 32-year-old made the announcement following a glitzy launch of the league where he and fellow Jamaican Chris Gayle were unveiled as one of six regional 'franchise' players.

Each franchise player will spearhead the challenge of the league six Caribbean city-based franchise teams.

"It does not matter which team I play for, I am a West Indian," said the Samuels, who attended the launch, and represented the other five regional franchise players, who were on West Indies duties.

"Whenever we are in the dressing room getting ready to go out and represent the West Indies we do not see ourselves as from Trinidad or Barbados.

"We see ourselves as West Indians, and that is how, personally, I will approach the league," he added.

To be held between July 29 and August 26 across six Caribbean countries, the CPL will see Samuels and Gayle being joined by three Trinidadians and one St Lucian on the list of regional franchise players.

The Trinidadians are Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Narine, with the lone St Lucian being West Indies captain Darren Sammy.

The franchise players, who according to the CPL were selected based on statistics and performances, will be joined in their pursuits for the league trophy by six international franchise players.

These international players, as well as the name and location of the franchises, will be announced at a later date.

Each team will comprise 15 players, six of which will hail from the franchise host country.

A maximum of four overseas players will be allowed per team and of the remaining players, four ought to be under the age of 23.

All non-franchise players will be selected by a draft system similar to what obtains in other top Twenty20 leagues around the world.

The league will be played on a home-and-away basis for a total of 30 group matches. This will be followed by an eliminator and grand final.