Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced a restructuring of the 2020-21 season. In a move unrelated to the Covid-19 virus, franchise teams will play almost a third fewer league matches. Currently, the six sides play each of their opponents once in a home and away round-robin system in the first-class and one-day formats. But that will change from 2020-21, when the teams will be divided into two groups of three. Group members will take each on other home and away, but will play the sides in the other group only once; home or away. Each team's campaign will thus be trimmed from 20 first-class and one-day league games to 14.
The highly indebted Cricket body is seeking to cut costs. The debts are due to the alleged mismanagement by the previous administration, but the organisation will have difficulty attracting sponsors. "The new structures, as recommended by the CSA cricket committee, were approved at a joint meeting of the CSA members' council and the CSA board of directors," a CSA release stated. "The South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) has also been consulted and kept informed as the process has unfolded."Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced a restructuring of the 2020-21 season. In a move unrelated to the Covid-19 virus, franchise teams will play almost a third fewer league matches. Currently, the six sides play each of their opponents once in a home and away round-robin system in the first-class and one-day formats. But that will change from 2020-21, when the teams will be divided into two groups of three. Group members will take each on other home and away, but will play the sides in the other group only once; home or away. Each team's campaign will thus be trimmed from 20 first-class and one-day league games to 14. The highly indebted Cricket body is seeking to cut costs. The debts are due to the alleged mismanagement by the previous administration, but the organisation will have difficulty attracting sponsors. "The new structures, as recommended by the CSA cricket committee, were approved at a joint meeting of the CSA members' council and the CSA board of directors," a CSA release stated. "The South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) has also been consulted and kept informed as the process has unfolded."
A previous domestic restructure plan, hatched by the former administration, would have cost up to 70 professional players their jobs and put CSA at odds with SACA, who responded by launching since abandoned legal action. The restructuring has been anticipated since an initial proposal of a 12-affiliate first-class structure was announced in 2018, but this was stopped by legal action from the SACA who have since withdrawn their High Court application, allowing for changes to go ahead.
"It is important that we announce the new structures timeously so that all franchises and provinces have a clear picture of the road ahead to advise the contracting of their players," the release quoted CSA acting chief executive Jacques Faul as saying. "I would like to thank all our stakeholders for buying into the new structures." The release made no mention of the future of the Mzansi Super League, CSA's loss making T20 tournament. The 2019/20 domestic cricket season was halted abruptly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Highveld Lions and the Dolphins handed the Four-Day and One-Day Cup titles respectively after finishing in pole position in each competition. The 2020-21 season should start in October depending on the course of the pandemic.
Changes made to franchise cricket
Four-Day Cup
The Four-Day Cup will now consist of two groups of three teams
Each team will play the teams in its group twice (home and away) with a single clash against each of the other teams
Group winners will then square off in the title decider
One-Day Cup
Two groups of three teams
Each team will play the teams in its group twice (home and away) with a single clash against each of the other teams
Group winners will then square off in the title decider
Senior Provincial cricket
A total of 15 participants in the Four-Day competition
The teams will be divided into two groups of eight and seven
Single round of group matches
Games involving Mpumalanga and Limpopo will not have First-Class status, but will still count for log points
SA Under-19 team will compete in a 16-team 40-over competition
Brian Sturgess
brian@cricketinvestor.co.uk
