The 4-day domestic series final has been rescheduled for the last week in March and is among a host of new dates announced by Cricket South Africa (CSA), including the senior provincial men’s and women’s programmes for the remainder of the 2020/21 season.
Under the revised fixture list announced, the remaining two rounds of the first-class campaign will re-commence from March 7 to 10 and March 16 to 19, followed by a five-day final scheduled for March 25 to 27.
The final will be contested by the two teams that finish top their respective pools, with the team with the highest number of points reserving the right to host the match at a venue of their choice.
The VKB Knights currently top Pool A and are front-runners to host the final, based on the 87.94 points they have accumulated thus far. Pool B is presently headed by the Momentum Multiply Titans, who enjoy 75.58 points.
CSA also confirmed that the abandoned match between the Titans and Hollywoodbets Dolphins, due to a Covid-19 case, has been declared a draw with each team receiving six points in addition to any bonus points gained from their round five fixtures as per the playing conditions.
CSA director of cricket, Graeme Smith, said, “We all know the problems that have been created by the pandemic this past season, so we are extremely happy that we have now confirmed all the outstanding matters relating to the first-class season. “
“I am also pleased to announce that the Proteas will be available for the final two rounds, including the final. This will add further strength to the competition and create a unique scenario for our domestic game where our best international players will also be on show. “
“It is yet another opportunity for the youngsters coming through the ranks to rub shoulders with the nationally contracted players, just like they will be doing in the T20 competition.”
It was also announced that the Provincial three day and the one-day programme will be combined into one solitary event with 16 teams split into four groups, who will each play each other in a bio-secure environment (BSE) based at different venues.
Pool A (Boland, Border, Hollywoodbets KwaZulu-Natal Coastal and South Western Districts) will be based in Paarl, Pool B (Free State, Easterns, Hollywoodbets KwaZulu-Natal Inland and Limpopo) will be situated in Bloemfontein, Pool C (Northern Cape, Western Province, Northerns and South Africa u-19) will play out of Kimberley and Pool D (North West, Mpumalanga, Eastern Province and Central Gauteng Lions) will be located at Potchefstroom.
Matches will begin on February 22 and run through until March 28.
Likewise, the women’s provincial programme, which is made up of 50-over cricket, will also take place in a BSE at four separate venues from February 23 to March 3.
Pool A (Western Province, Central Gauteng Lions and Northerns) will be based in Cape Town, Pool B (North West, KZN Coastal and Border) will play in East London, Pool C (Boland, Eastern Province, Free State, Kei and South Western Districts) in Oudtshoorn and Pool D (Easterns, Northern Cape, KZN Inland, Limpopo and Mpumalanga) in Benoni.
“The amateur game has, unfortunately, bore the brunt of the pandemic due to all the regulations and risks involved,” said Smith.
“It has been tough for all the unions, so we are hoping the programme arranged for these teams between now and the end of the season will at least give those involved something to look forward to.
“We have also included our SA u-19s in the Senior Provincial Programme, together with affiliates Limpopo and Mpumalanga, so there will be an opportunity for everyone as we try to satisfy all parties with a full schedule.”
