Cricket South Africa announces new franchise-based T20 tournament: Details here
What's the story
Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Friday announced the launch of a new franchise-based T20 league in association with broadcaster SuperSport. The first season of the tournament is scheduled to get underway in January 2023. In a joint statement by both the organizations, it was revealed that plans for the unnamed tournament, featuring six privately-owned franchises, are on. Here are further details.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The new tournament comes as another effort from CSA to popularize franchise-based T20 cricket in the country. In 2017, they had launched the Global T20 league, however, it had to be aborted due to lack of broadcast deal and title sponsors. The new competition is expected to drive more funds into cricket in South Africa and help its growth in the country.
Format
Here is the format of the league
Six teams will face each other twice in a round-robin stage before the top three progress to the playoffs. Overall, 33 games will be contested over the period of nearly four weeks. As per CSA, the tournament will also feature overseas players. Like the Indian Premier League (IPL), each team will be able to field up to four foreign players in the XI.
Information
Other key details about the tournament
CSA and SuperSport will form a new company to manage the competition. A player auction will take place at a later date, while the tournament will be held in January every year. The first season will begin immediately after South Africa's Australia tour.
Statement
'Product that will change the face of South African cricket'
CSA and SuperSport look confident about their latest venture. "We are excited by the formation of something this fresh and invigorating, which also offers the opportunity for private investment into the franchises," CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki said. "We are delighted to invest in a product that will change the face of South African cricket," Marc Jury, CEO of SuperSport, said.
League
What about the Mzansi Super League?
The Global T20 league was replaced by the Mzansi Super League in 2018. Two seasons of the MSL were staged until 2019, however, the tournament structure had to be amended in the light of the significant changes brought to South Africa's domestic system. The last three editions of the league (2020, 2021, and 2022) were canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.