The domestic T20 competition of South Africa is likely to shift to the window which has been left vacant by the T20 Global League after the announcement of its postponement earlier in the week. The six-team tournament was initially scheduled to start on March 14, 2018, and end on April 15. The competition can be brought forward by four months which is subject to the final approval by the board.
The Franchise CEO’s during a teleconference was asked to confirm the feasibility of staging the domestic T20 tournament in the gap left vacant by the Global T20 League. They also assured the fact that it could be done. The only issue which might pop up is the broadcaster but unlike the case with the Global T20 League CSA doesn’t need to sign a new partner as SuperSport already holds the rights of broadcasting all cricket played in South Africa.
One of the major boosts for the domestic tournament will be the availability of all international players which is not the case on most occasions. The South African players won’t be given NOC’s during that period which means they won’t participate in the Bangladesh Premier League which is scheduled during the same time.
“If there is an international tour in that time, only 12 or so guys will be playing. What about the rest of the players? They can’t sit around for six weeks and not do anything,” a source told ESPNcricinfo.
Cricket South Africa has been exploring several options for hosting either Pakistan or West Indies, but the CEO Thabang Moroe stated that CSA wouldn’t start any endeavour which might cost them money.
It is learnt that tours against India, England and Australia help CSA make money while any other tours will see them incur losses. Instead, they will spend the money on the T20 competition. But they have to find a sponsor for it. Ram decided to renew their deal last season.
