Razeen Gutta
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that its new T20 franchise league will kick off next year under the leadership of Graeme Smith.
Scheduled to begin in January 2023, the league will consist of six franchise teams based in major centres. Johannesburg, Centurion, Gqeberha, Cape Town, Paarl and Durban were selected after ten venues had bid to host the competition.
The six selected venues are the same six that hosted the now discontinued Mzansi Super League (MSL), which was CSA’s most recent attempt at creating a T20 franchise league.
This time around, the successful franchise owners will all arrive on South African shores with previous experience at managing franchises around the globe.
CSA emphasised the importance of their previous involvement in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Of the ten IPL teams, six of the owners have won the bids to purchase franchises in South Africa.
Reliance Industries Limited, the owners of five-time IPL champions the Mumbai Indians have purchased the Cape Town franchise while four time winners Chennai Super Kings’ owners have bought the Johannesburg team.
RPSG Sports Private Limited and Sun TV Network Limited won the bids for Durban and Gqeberha with the two companies owning the Lucknow SuperGiants and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively.
Rajasthan Royals’ Royal Sports Group will take charge of Paarl while JSW Sports, the co-owners of the Delhi Capitals, have purchased the Centurion franchise.
After being appointed commissioner of the new league, Smith said in a statement that the credibility of the new owners will benefit South African cricket.
“This is truly an exciting time for South African cricket. The overwhelming interest shows that the country remains valued in the global cricketing ecosystem,” Smith said.
“The strong sports background of the respective owners brings stability and experience to the league.”
The new league is reported to have budgeted approximately R25 million per franchise for player salaries, with each team allowed to sign up to five international players.
“We have already contracted a number of leading international players who will be announced shortly,” he said.
“Combined with our strong South African player base, fans and stakeholders can be assured that the new league will showcase exciting talent and skill.”
Image source: @CricketAddictor
