The SA20 has confirmed the playing conditions and rule variations for the inaugural season that will allow teams to pick their XI after the toss and encourage aggressive play.
The first match of the 33-game tournament, between MI Cape Town and the Paarl Royals, gets underway at Newlands on Tuesday (17:30).
The rules variations aim to improve the quality of cricket on display while preserving the sanctity of the game.
In an innovative move to level the playing field, each captain can nominate 13 players to take the field before the toss and select their final XI afterwards.
Teams will be encouraged to put in dominant performances, with bonus points on offer for teams that can win and achieve a run rate 1.25 times better than the opposition.
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In addition, the following rules have been adjusted:
- The pace of play will be protected without suspensions with captains charged with in-game penalties for slow over-rates through fielding restrictions.
- There has been an amendment to the free-hit rule, a bowled dismissal can’t lead to byes if the ball ricochets off the stumps.
- Positive and attacking fielding will be encouraged. No runs can be taken off an intentional attempt to run out the batsman if a direct hit deflects off the stumps.
- There will be two strategic time-outs of two minutes, 30 seconds in duration in each innings. The time-outs are to allow the teams to re-group tactically.
Six powerplay overs will be implemented where only two fielders will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
In the event of teams finishing on equal points, the right to progress through to the final and those to play in the playoff will be determined as follows:
The team with the most number of wins;
- If still equal, the team with the highest number of bonus points;
- If still equal, the team with the highest net run rate;
- If still equal, the team with the most number of wins over the other team(s) who are equal on points and have the same number of wins;
- If still equal, the team with the highest runs to wickets ratio throughout the tournament;
- If still equal, the team with the highest wickets to runs ratio throughout the tournament.
In a match declared as a no result, run rate is not applicable.
