SA20 Brings Global Cricket Energy

As the first season of South Africa’s new franchise T20 league neared its end, organisers were bullish about their prospects for future success. “I believe we have established enough of a foothold to not be threatened by the BBL’s aim to become the second-biggest league in the world,” said tournament commissioner Graeme Smith.

The local South Africa League Blog , owned by dynamic entities and investments that include IPL shareholders, are bringing a lively environment to the sport that is attracting a growing international following. The tournament also offers a prize pool of more than R70 million, which is the biggest in the history of SA20.

But despite the success of the franchises, there are still challenges ahead. CSA’s failure to revive national interest in the game and draw bums on seats in the last few seasons has taken a toll, with the Proteas teetering on the brink of missing out on automatic qualification for next year’s T20 World Cup.

A growing number of players are prioritising SA20 over national contracts, which has led to some odd decisions such as sending an understrength Test team to Australia earlier this year. But Smith is confident that the six dynamic entities and investments that own the teams will be able to keep their heads above water when it comes to recruitment, player retention and financial sustainability.

One of the biggest challenges remains a lack of black South African talent, with Sibonelo Makhanya and Siyabonga Spinners the only two black players to play this season. But Smith says that this is likely to change, with youngsters increasingly seeing SA20 as a platform that pays three or four times more than a provincial contract, which can be harder to get.