Cricket SA replace T20 Global League with a poorer cousin

It’s hardly consolation for the postponement of the T20 Global League (T20GL) but Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Monday at least addressed the gap in the domestic schedule.

With the glitzy new tournament having been earmarked at the start of next month and lasting for six weeks, the local federation scheduled no other local cricket.

But the controversial decision to delay it meant CSA desperately needed to find cricket to be played.

They did so in an obvious manner by moving the domestic T20 competition forward, which will now take place from 10 November to December 16.

The tournament was previously going to be played in March.

One positive aspect amid the justifiable gloom is the fact that all the national players will be available to play.

“This is going to be a highly competitive competition,” said CSA acting chief Thabang Moroe.

“All our Standard Bank Proteas players are available for selection for their respective franchises. It will provide a mouth-watering appetizer before we move on to the main business of the summer with the international tours by India and Australia.”

Still, it doesn’t address the sad reality that various domestic players won’t get their moment in the sun on a bigger stage due to CSA’s poor organisation of the T20GL.

One party who is laughing all the way is SuperSport.

The powerhouse broadcaster was one of the main players in the T20GL saga, having initially claimed that they owned the rights to the tournament because they pay for all broadcasting rights of local cricket.

CSA, however, insisted the new competition was a separate commercial product.

SuperSport did eventually bid on the rights but it’s understood recently departed CSA chief Haroon Lorgat wanted more from any potential deal.

The impasse meant CSA didn’t have a local broadcaster for the tournament.

Now, SuperSport get a domestic T20 – for which they don’t have to pay extra because they own the rights – that will be far more attractive given the Proteas’ involvement.

That’s not a bad deal…