CSA in association with SuperSport announced the launch of a new T20 tournament.
Cricket South Africa (CSA), announced on Friday (April 29), the launch of a new franchise-based T20 league. The first edition of the new six-team franchise-based T20 league will be played in January 2023, immediately after South Africa's tour to Australia.
According to a CSA release, the franchise-based T20 league will feature overseas players as well, with a player auction to take place at a later date while each team will be allowed to have up to four overseas players in the XI, much like India’s Indian Premier League (IPL).
The six privately-owned franchises will be playing each other in a double round before the top three sides move to the play-off stages in the new competition.
The CSA said in a statement that an agreement has been signed with the broadcaster SuperSport to form a new company that will manage the new league, wherein 33 matches will be played over three to four weeks.
The date of the auction, fixtures, and details will be announced at a later date.
The CSA release said: “The company is looking at a very attractive player salary bill per team that will rival other leagues around the world outside of the IPL.”
Meanwhile, CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki stated: “We are excited by the formation of something this fresh and invigorating, which also offers the opportunity for private investment into the franchises. CSA has already received interest from a number of potential local and international investors.”
Marc Jury, the CEO of SuperSport, said: “We are delighted to invest in a product that will change the face of South African cricket. There is an early-year gap in the calendar, so the timing is ideal.”
(With PTI Inputs)