CSA’s upcoming T20 tournament has yet to be named, but CEO Thabang Moroe has confirmed the number of teams taking part.
The new T20 league is going to run on a strength versus strength basis, with just six teams competing, revealed Moroe at a press conference in Joburg. Last year’s ill-fated Global T20 League (GLT20) was to feature eight sides, but CSA have opted to limit the number in order to keep the level of competition as high as possible.
The number of teams corresponds with the number of domestic franchises in South African cricket, and the reduction was approved by the CSA board on Saturday, but no further details have been released about ownership or where each of the teams will be based. Moroe confirmed that the present plan is for the league to consist of 32 matches that will be contested between November and December. Due to the restricted number of teams, it’s likely that matches will be played primarily at the six main Test venues – The Wanderers, SuperSport Park, Newlands, Kingsmead, St George’s Park and Mangaung Oval.
Research will be conducted by Nielsen Sports to analyse bids for teams that are likely to come from the 12 provincial affiliates. ‘There will be certain criteria applied by Nielsen which will involve monies, the ability to pull crowds, infrastructure around you and governmental support. The process will be independent,’ said Moroe.
‘The league continues as far as planning is concerned. We have continued to meet with the broadcasters and with corporates for sponsorship opportunities,’ said Moroe, adding that the sponsorship talks had not yet reached the stage they had hoped for by this stage.
There is also still no resolution in terms of the threatened court action by owners of the franchises from the cancelled GLT20. Moroe is scheduled to meet with the previous owners in early August in Mumbai and Dubai to discuss all relevant details relating to their complaints as well as to share his board’s vision for the future of cricket in South Africa.
The major challenge for CSA will be to keep all previous franchises owners happy with a reduced number of teams up for grabs. August and September promise to be busy months for the leadership team at Cricket South Africa.
Photo: Cricket South Africa
