SA20 unveils playing conditions; captains to name playing XI after toss

The inaugural edition of SA20 is slated to get underway on January 10.

South Africa’s new T20 league, SA20, on Monday (January 9) unveiled its playing conditions for the inaugural season, slated to get underway on January 10.

Six teams will take part in the tournament and they will play 33 matches in total, including three playoff matches that consist of two semi-finals and the final.

The intriguing changes to the playing conditions will allow the captains to decide the final playing XI after the toss.

However, the teams will have to name 13 players before the toss. They must omit two names after the toss and the left out players will still be eligible to participate in the game as substitutes.

In a bid to encourage the teams to play dominating cricket, SA20 league has made some changes to the point system, with the winning team awarded four points and a bonus-point win generating five points.

The bonus point will be awarded to a team who achieves a run rate of 1.25 times that of the opposition. In case of a no result, both teams will be awarded two points, while the losing team will not receive any points.

In addition, the following rules have been adjusted:

• The pace of play will be protected without suspensions with captains charged with in-game penalties for slow over-rates through fielding restrictions.
• There has been an amendment to the free-hit rule, a bowled dismissal can’t lead to byes if the ball ricochets off the stumps
• Positive and attacking fielding will be encouraged. No runs can be taken off an intentional attempt to run out the batter if a direct hit deflects off the stumps.
• There will be two strategic time-outs of 2 minutes 30 seconds in duration in each innings. The time-outs are to allow the teams to re-group tactically.

In the event of teams finishing on equal points, the right to progress through to the final and those to play in the play-off will be determined as follows:

• the team with the most number of wins;

• If still equal, the team with the highest number of bonus points;

• If still equal, the team with the highest net run rate;

• If still equal, the team with the most number of wins over the other team(s) who are equal on points and have the same number of wins;

• If still equal, the team with the highest runs to wickets ratio throughout the tournament;

• If still equal, the team with the highest wickets to runs ratio throughout the tournament.

In a match declared as a No Result, run rate is not applicable.

The first semi-final will include the team finishing top of the group stages against the team finishing fourth. The second semi-final will be between the teams finishing second and third respectively. The winners of the two semi-finals will contest the final.