SABC will broadcast all of the Proteas home games, EP shake-up their coaching structure and Paul Harris says the Cobras will win the Ram Slam T20 final.
SABC signs three-year deal with Proteas
Cricket South Africa (CSA) today announced a three-year deal with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) that will see the public broadcaster provide live television coverage of all the Proteas’ home international matches.
In addition, there will be live ball-by-ball radio coverage on 2000FM as well as a weekly magazine programme on television in an attempt to bring cricket to a wider proportion of the country.
‘This is really big news for all cricket fans,’ commented CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat. ‘We were challenged in the recent past without a deal in place but we are now excited with the new energy and support of the SABC. Free-to-air broadcast is an important ingredient for us to be able to deliver our vision to make cricket a truly national sport that is accessible to all.
‘I would like to sincerely thank the SABC for partnering with cricket. Their support will make a big difference to the access, growth and development of the game and will enable all South Africans to watch their Proteas heroes in action.’
Mr. Hlaudi Motsoeneng, the SABC’s Chief Operations Officer, stated: ‘Being a public service broadcaster, we are cognisant of the fact that Cricket, which is a national sport, is followed and loved by millions of South Africans. This broadcast deal with Cricket South Africa, follows on the heels of SABC Sport launching a new lifestyle Cricket magazine programme on SABC 3 titled ‘The Grand Pavilion’ last week.
‘It demonstrates our commitment to showing sports of national importance, and we believe through this three-year deal, the SABC will be playing its role in making the sport accessible to every South African citizen through our Radio and Television platforms.’
The period of the deal covers future international series against New Zealand (2015); England (2015-16), Australia (2016), New Zealand (2016) and Sri Lanka (2016-17).
EP shake-up coaching structure
Cricket Eastern Cape (Pty) Ltd have announced that coach Piet Botha will be stepping down as Head Coach, after he decided not to re-apply for the position when his contract ends in April next year.
‘After some serious deliberation and some poor results over the last few months I have decided that I will not re-apply for the position and that it is, therefore, only fair on the Team, Support staff, the Board and the Public that I step aside as Head Coach at this time,’ said Botha.
‘I believe that the team is in need of a new direction and part of that process is to get a Coach with a fresh approach. I also believe that certain important decisions will have to be made now in order to help the team get back to its glory days of 2010. The Board has, therefore, accepted my recommendation and I will step aside as Head Coach and will continue to assist in a Technical Advisory position.’
Malibongwe Maketa, the Assistant Coach, will take over the reins from Botha for the remainder of the season.
‘I am honoured to be given this opportunity,’ Maketa said. ‘Piet has over the last two years allowed me to grow as a coach and I am looking forward to taking up the challenge. It will be important for the team to finish the season with some good results and I hope that I will be able to assist them in doing this.’
Harris backs Cape Cobras
According to Former Proteas spinner, Paul Harris, the Cape Cobras are the favourites to win the Ram Slam T20 challenge against the Knights.
‘It is not only because it’s a home-final for the Cobras, but also because of the presence of two top-class spinners,’ said Harris.
‘Robin’s confidence is very high at the moment, and he has also bowled well against Australia. I like the look of young George Linde. He has got a big future ahead of him. He gives the ball a bit of rip and he bowls with excellent control,’ said the former left-arm Test spinner.
‘I expect the Cobras to win. It’s not always easy for teams to come to Newlands and win, especially with a packed crowd at the ground’, he added.
Duminy named SACA president
JP Duminy has been elected president of the South African Cricketers’ Association on Tuesday in Johannesburg at the annual general meeting for players
The president and players executive committee were elected through a voting process, which compromises of both the Proteas men’s and women’s teams, the six franchises as well as the 13 Semi-Professional Provincial teams.
‘I’m honoured that my fellow professional cricketers have shown their confidence in me,’ said JP Duminy. ‘Our players’ association, SACA, plays an important role in South African cricket and I am glad to be asked by the players to be part of its leadership.
‘The meeting was not just about electing leaders but also about SACA’s management team reporting back to players on the work we’ve been doing over the last year and about getting player feedback on our plans for the coming year.’
Ryan ten Doescharte signs for Strikers
Cape Town born Dutch international Ryan ten Doescharte has signed for Big Bash team, the Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming competition.
Ten Doeschate will only arrive for the second half of the tournament-he will replace Kieron Pollard who will be involved in the World Cup with the West Indies.
Ten Doeschate said: ‘I would say that it is the toughest competition of all T20 competitions. In the IPL, the conditions are very tough, but I think as a level of competitiveness, I think Australia is the toughest. I feel like I want to come here and do well to be content in myself that I can do it at this level, which is probably the only one which I haven’t really conquered.’
The South African Dutch international has featured in 235 T20s and he has nearly 5000 runs in the format. He also has nearly 5000 runs in List A cricket.
Ten Doeschate has twice being named Associate Cricketer of the Year by the ICC.
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