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Jozi Stars defeat Cape Town Blitz by 8 wickets to win the final of the Mzansi Super League (2018)

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Abdullah719

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Cape Town - South Africa's first ever T20 Global League, which was due to get underway in November, has been postponed.

The official confirmation came just after midday on Tuesday following a Cricket South Africa (CSA) board meeting.

More details of the postponement were to be announced shortly.

The tournament was rocked two weeks ago when CSA and its CEO, Haroon Lorgat, parted ways.

Lorgat had been the mastermind behind the T20 Global League.

Last week, acting CSA CEO Thabang Moroe confirmed to media that the first two editions of the tournament were set to run at a loss.

The major stumbling blocks, it was reported, were the lack of a broadcast deal and a title sponsor.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/T20GlobalLeague/sas-t20-global-league-postponed-20171010
 
Good news for BPL franchises. This was bound to happen since Haroon Lorgat left his post
 
Following a Cricket South Africa (CSA) and T20 Global League board meeting today and in consultation with franchise owners, the inaugural T20 Global League has been postponed to November 2018.

"We have not come to this decision lightly,” commented CSA Acting CEO, Thabang Moroe.

“Having discussed it with all our stakeholders including the franchise owners, we believe that the interest of the league should be our first priority. We have re-assessed our strategy and believe that postponing the first edition of the T20 Global League to next year will serve us well.

“We will regroup and come back stronger and better. At this time, we also wish to thank all the players, sponsors, broadcast partners, SACA (South African Cricketers Association) and FICA (Federation of International Cricketers) who have committed to the project. We appreciate the continued support of the individuals and organizations who have believed in this tournament,” added Moroe.

The franchise owners are in support of the decision.

"Having discussed it with Mr. Moroe and Mr. Nenzani, we have arrived at a unanimous decision to defer the inaugural edition to next year. We believe it is in the best interest of the tournament to do so," said Osman Osman, from the Pretoria Mavericks.
 
The likes of Najam Sethi and Shahryar Khan do not get enough credit for how they have managed to successfully hold the PSL twice in the face of so many risks, challenges and opposition. Look at how a so-called professional western cricket board messed it all up.

Lol on a lighter note, Umar Akmal is one lucky man, his NOC suspension now means nothing and he will not be missing anything now.
 
Savak said:
The likes of Najam Sethi and Shahryar Khan do not get enough credit for how they have managed to successfully hold the PSL twice in the face of so many risks, challenges and opposition. Look at how a so-called professional western cricket board messed it all up.

Lol on a lighter note, Umar Akmal is one lucky man, his NOC suspension now means nothing and he will not be missing anything now.
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With all due respect, PSL was also postponed.
 
cricketjoshila said:
With all due respect, PSL was also postponed.
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There is a difference, ours was delayed because there was a lack of people who could efficiently run it. We never had a draft where players were picked, this cancellation comes on the verge of the league starting. Nothing of this sort has happened with the PSL.
 
cricketjoshila said:
With all due respect, PSL was also postponed.
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Postponed yes but it was not launched on such a massive scale like before postponement. I am pretty sure Cricket South Africa has lost a lot of money already.
 
Savak said:
The likes of Najam Sethi and Shahryar Khan do not get enough credit for how they have managed to successfully hold the PSL twice in the face of so many risks, challenges and opposition. Look at how a so-called professional western cricket board messed it all up.

Lol on a lighter note, Umar Akmal is one lucky man, his NOC suspension now means nothing and he will not be missing anything now.
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They probably gave that responsibility to some guy and that guy was competent. Also remember millionaire/billionaire owners probably had influence in PSL being successful.
 
Given the time frame involved it wasn't feasible.
 
Global T20 is too late for arrival, BPL which seemed like a lower tier joke of tournament is now one of the 4 main T20 leagues. There is no room for Global T20. Global Destination sounds like some Alien Hollywood movie title. Change the name.
 
It's a crowded space and the novelty has worn off. It amazes me Saffers waited so long to get aboard the league gravy train. Might not get the chunkiest pieces now.
 
What a farce this ended up being.

Perhaps a sign these T20 leagues arent as lucrative as they might seem?
 
Donal Cozzie said:
What a farce this ended up being.

Perhaps a sign these T20 leagues arent as lucrative as they might seem?
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Or the need for competent and talented administrators and management is underestimated. What Sethi and Syk managed to achieve was absolutely brilliant given the massive risks involved and how the previous administrators like Ijaz Butt, Zaka Ashraf did not have the balls to go through with the plans and gave up when faced with hurdles.
 
Bad news for SA players

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I'm going to bed now, but just imagine the number of youngsters in SA cricket thinking this eve, KOLPAK, KOLPAK, KOLPAK! Can you blame them?</p>— KP (@KP24) <a href="https://twitter.com/KP24/status/917798789884264448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2017</a></blockquote>
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A league entirely dependent on foreign owners and a broadcast deal with no local support in any form is doomed from the start
 
Media Release: Bloem City Blazers’ statement on T20 GL postponement
Wednesday, 11 October 2017

The news of the postponement of the T20 Global League has evoked a set of mixed feelings for us. On one hand, there is a sense of disappointment. We, along with our fans, were looking forward to the tournament and our preparations were going ahead at full steam and taking promising shape.

On the other hand, there is also a sense of relief. We will now have time to have clarity on the Broadcast and Sponsorship Rights (for both the League and the teams), which have been unconfirmed.

With less than a month to go before the tournament, the only concerns were related to the Broadcast Footprint and League Sponsorship, which in turn affected the Team sponsorship efforts. All other preparations were in place, thanks to our wonderful operations team in South Africa.

We appreciate Cricket South Africa’s transparency and honesty at a very critical time. It is important that the necessary structures and contracts are in place for the tournament to have a successful run.

We remain committed to the T20 Global League just as we were three months ago. We will be working towards the first edition scheduled for November 2018 with renewed vigour and enthusiasm.

It also goes without saying that our commitment towards development at grassroots and schools level, transformation through performance and all investments towards the Mangaung Municipality are intact. We will continue to channel our strategy and efforts to bringing Bloemfontein and the Free State on the world cricketing map. It will also be our endeavour to work closely with our partners and stakeholders at the Mangaung Oval and Mangaung Municipality to achieve the above.

South Africa has become our home, we are not going anywhere. We will continue to be a part of Bloem and the T20 Global League, which we have full faith will be a success.

Yours in Cricket

Mr Sushil Kumar

Owner, Bloem City Blazers
 
Cape Town - Cricket South Africa acting CEO Thabang Moroe says it was a "no brainer" to postpone the T20 Global League until November next year.

South Africa's answer to the IPL and Big Bash League was due to get underway on November 3 this year, but CSA dropped a bombshell on Tuesday by announcing that, due to financial concerns, the tournament would not go ahead as planned.

The announcement followed the news two weeks ago that then-CEO Haroon Lorgat, considered the mastermind behind the Global League, had stepped down.

Securing a broadcast deal and a major sponsor were the main reasons for the postponement and Moroe confirmed on Tuesday that CSA could have stood to lose between $6-$8 million per year for the next five years (R400m-R540m) had they gone ahead with the tournament.

"If you have a look at where we are in terms of the budgets we had allocated in running the league, if you look at the numbers put in front of us for sponsorship and broadcast deals, we were going to make losses of between $6-$8 million every year for the next five years. It’s a no-brainer if you look at the numbers," Moroe told media on Tuesday.

"As far as reputational damage is concerned, I think it’s better for the board to act than not to act when they see things going wrong.

"I think that, from a reputation point of view, it stands the board in good stead in the sense that they have made a decision and are sticking to that decision.

"We are not going to deliver a T20 League to the detriment of CSA and its members. What’s important to CSA is its members and making sure that development continues. If we are going to deliver a league that takes away from that, it would be irresponsible.

"You can’t throw money at a problem like this. The best thing to do is stop the bleeding, take stock and come back stronger."

Moroe added that CSA had received a "mixed bag" of responses from the eight owners when they informed them of the decision.

"I can tell you that, I have no doubt, we have support from owners in terms of this decision," he said.

http://m.sport24.co.za/sport24/Cricket/T20GlobalLeague/csa-t20-gl-postponement-a-no-brainer-20171011
 
Cape Town - Whichever way you look at it, the postponement of the first ever T20 Global League is a calamitous stuff- up that leaves Cricket South Africa (CSA) reeling.

When the owners and cities were first unveiled in London back in June, it was clear that a lot needed to happen in a short space of time before the tournament could get underway in early November as planned.

Players needed to be signed, sponsorship needed to be secured and CSA would have to sell their product to a broadcaster, with SuperSport always the obvious first-choice in that regard.

There was no problem generating player interest, and a lavish player draft in Cape Town on August 27 did a good job of convincing everyone involved that things were on the right track.

But when it came to securing cash investments - from both SuperSport and potential title sponsors - it appears that CSA priced themselves out.

The day after the player draft, CSA held a press conference with then-CEO Haroon Lorgat and T20 GL tournament director Russell Adams.

When questions opened to the floor, I asked Lorgat about the reported stumbling blocks the organisation was facing in its attempt to secure a broadcast deal.

"You must know something I don't know," Lorgat snapped, before adding that he could have signed the deal whenever he wanted to.

He further added that the tournament was following due process and that the broadcast deal would be signed without any problems.

As we now know, that was not the case.

Lorgat and CSA parted ways two weeks ago, with the CSA board suggesting that he had withheld key information during the planning of the T20 GL.

While the finer details are obviously very different, this whole debacle reminds of the embarrassment that was South Africa's bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Durban.

In both instances, money was the reason for ultimate failure. But both of those failures could have been avoided with better planning.

CSA has already thrown bucket-loads at this tournament and after the song and dance they made about how it was going to save cricket in the country, there is no excuse for getting things this wrong.

When you come out guns blazing like they did, promising the world to players, fans and investors, you better be damn sure you can deliver.

"The loudest one in the room is the weakest one in the room," Denzel Washington says in American Gangster. That statement proves itself true time and time again.

CSA looks extremely weak, if not crippled, right now.

The plan is to launch the tournament in 2018, but in many ways the damage is already done.

South Africa is already years late to the T20 party, and now they are even further behind.

An internal investigation has to take place, and somebody needs to be held accountable for this mess. Where did it all go wrong and how was there nobody at CSA who saw this coming?

As was the case with Durban 2022, it is puzzling that there was not a number cruncher involved to do the calculations and inform CSA of what was realistically possible and what was not.

Regardless of what the more intricate details of this circus are, this is the result of poor administration and there is no way around that.

The players, ultimately, are the ones who suffer most. Not the AB de Villiers', Dale Steyns and Faf du Dlessis' of the world.

I'm talking about the semi-professional players who thought they had been given a career-defining opportunity by being included in this tournament. They are the ones who have been most hurt, both in terms of their long-term prospects and the immediate pay day.

The players have to be compensated in some way, and that is a financial responsibility that CSA must now deliver on.

In terms of the way forward, CSA needs to get its house in order as a matter of urgency.

Lorgat's sudden departure, the T20 GL fiasco and the uncertainty of the Indian tour have all combined to paint the picture of an organisation that is all over the place currently.

This was a competition that, glitz and glamour aside, was designed to help keep South African players in South Africa.

But now that the players have been failed this badly by their own administration, who could blame them for seeking greener pastures elsewhere?

http://m.sport24.co.za/sport24/Colu...a-has-no-excuses-for-t20-gl-stuff-up-20171011
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What was that lesson we were taught at school about counting your chickens?Some guys may be returning to the car dealerships today. &#55358;&#56596;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/T20GL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#T20GL</a></p>— Morne Morkel (@mornemorkel65) <a href="https://twitter.com/mornemorkel65/status/917993086306971648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) today responded to the announcement by Cricket South Africa (CSA) that it is postponing the T20 Global League, which had been scheduled to start next month in South Africa.

FICA shares the concern and disappointment voiced by the South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) at the announcement by CSA of the postponement of the T20 Global League.

A significant number of players from South Africa and elsewhere are affected by this announcement. FICA will be working closely with SACA and its other member player associations to assist impacted players and to ensure their interests are protected in this process.
 
As already commented by me, Haroon Lorgat turned out to be far more incompetent that was earlier thought.
 
squarecut said:
As already commented by me, Haroon Lorgat turned out to be far more incompetent that was earlier thought.
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u can see he showed heaven to the sa board but reality is they will lose 6 to 8 millions for 5 yrs.its a conservative estimate
 
OMG. I just read that Supersport offered 6 mil US for broadcast rights?

R u kidding me? 6 million!! They bid 20mil for ipl rights in Africa.
 
The Durban Qalandars has noted the decision by Cricket South Africa (CSA) to postpone the T20 Global League until November 2018.

While we are obviously disappointed with the decision taken so close to the start of the tournament, we accept the difficult position that CSA found itself in and we hope the decision to delay the start will give them sufficient time to sort out the outstanding issues.

With just under a month to go to what would have been the scheduled start, planning by Durban Qalandars was at an advanced stage for our first game against the Nelson Mandela Bay Stars at Kingsmead on November 4, 2017.

“The Durban Qalandars would like to pledge its commitment to the league and would like to reiterate that we will be back in South Africa for the start next year,” franchise owner, Mr Fawad Rana, said.

“The people of Durban have been wonderful to us and we would like to reassure them that we will be involved in the tournament. It is with sadness that we won’t be joining them this season, but they can look forward to something very special next year.

“My management team from Qatar, Dubai and Pakistan would also like to thank all those who have been assisting us in South Africa. We can’t wait to join you next year.”
 
Haroon Lorgat, the guy is as incompetent as they come. I believe a full fledged investigation into his activities may be launched.
 
sachin100 said:
already launched regarding sale of franchises
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This is a massive loss of face and finance for CSA.Also since all Protea players were available this season this was the best oppurtunity to launch the league.

Now SA also have a 6 week window where they play no one. They have already ruled out inviting Zim WI and Pak as these teams cost more money to host than they make.

I wonder if CSA have even realised how big the consequences are.
 
There are reports on news channels that pakistan and south africa are in talks for a series in the window created by global t20.
 
cricketjoshila said:
This is a massive loss of face and finance for CSA.Also since all Protea players were available this season this was the best oppurtunity to launch the league.

Now SA also have a 6 week window where they play no one. They have already ruled out inviting Zim WI and Pak as these teams cost more money to host than they make.

I wonder if CSA have even realised how big the consequences are.
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I can understand CSA making loss while hosting smaller nations like Zim, WI, and BD, but im surprised to see Pakistan in that list as well.
 
They could have made much greater profit if they didn't arrange it in the same time as BPL.
 
Cricket South Africa release further information on the T20GL Postponement

A follow-up Board meeting was held on Sunday, 15 October 2017 and the following decisions were made.

  • The Board reiterated its decision to postpone the start of the inaugural T20 Global League to the beginning of November 2018. The circumstances that led to this decision are being further scrutinised and discussed The Board has also appointed a project team to lead and oversee the project going forward.

  • The Board recognises and appreciates the fact that the afore-mentioned decision has led to general disappointment in the country and to the cricket supporters in particular. It must be emphasised that the Board took this decision in order to avert any potential financial ruin and reputational damage to the organisation. The decision to postpone the commencement of the league has been taken in the best interests of the sport of cricket and the organisation.

  • The Board will continue to engage with the franchise owners in ensuring that a very successful T20GL is launched in November 2018. In this regard, the Board is encouraged by the continued commitment expressed by the franchise owners to work with CSA in delivering the league. The franchise owners have also expressed their intentions to avail their expertise and experience to CSA, to enable CSA to deliver a successful league campaign.

  • The Board has approved the commencement of a broad scope investigation into the internal processes on all aspects of the T20GL, as undertaken by various parties during the period of the establishment of the league. These investigations have already commenced.

  • The scope of the investigation will in principle cover the planning and execution of the T20 Global League with specific focus on, inter alia, aspects of governance, agreements concluded, payments, staff recruitment, authorisation and delegation of authority, league development strategy, decision making etc.

  • The Board shall await receipt of the findings emanating from the investigation, and thereafter consider its options going forward.

  • In order to give space and time to the investigations to be conducted, CSA will make no further media comments on the matter. CSA is committed to conducting credible and valid investigations for the benefit of the game and a successful inaugural T20GL tournament in November 2018.
 
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa said on Thursday that it remained in a healthy position despite the costly postponement of the planned T20 Global League.

In a statement following a board meeting, CSA president Chris Nenzani said lessons had been learned from the failed venture, which led to the resignation of former chief executive Haroon Lorgat.

Nenzani said an internal investigation had highlighted “pervasive governance lapses around the T20GL”.

In a departure from previous statements, Thursday’s announcement wavered on a commitment to stage the league in 2018.

“The Board has tasked management to look at the various T20 league financial models around the world and to present a viable financial model before a final decision on the future of the T20GL can be taken,” it said.

Nenzani said a complete financial reconciliation had revealed “no irregularities or financial mismanagement” and that CSA accepted responsibility for losses incurred.

No figures were revealed but media reports have estimated that CSA spent around R100 million (about $7.8 million) on setting up the league, as well as having to spend about $5 million to compensate contracted players.

Nenzani said that CSA remained financially sound, despite the losses, due to tight financial controls and reserves built up over the years. In its annual report issued in September, CSA said it had R740 million (about $60 million) in cash resources.

The T20 Global League was postponed in October, less than a month before it was due to start, because there was no television deal or title sponsor.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1378069/governance-lapses-behind-postponed-t20-global-league
 
Cricket South Africa loses $14m over Global T20 postponement

Cricket South Africa loses $14m over Global T20 postponement

Agencies

DECEMBER 23, 2017

CAPE TOWN: Cricket South Africa has recorded losses of approximately R180 million ($14.16 million approx) over the posptoned T20 Global League (GLT20), it was reported Friday. Though the amount is significant, it is just over half the $25 million the organisation was forecast to lose if the event had gone ahead. A little less than half the losses (around R80 million, or $6.3 million approx) will be spent in player payouts, which will take place in three installments to reimburse players 60 percent of their contract fees for the tournament. But CSA has reserves of over R500 million ($39.34 million approx), which resulted in the body declaring itself in a “healthy financial position” at a Special Board of Directors Meeting on Wednesday, despite the heavy losses.

The meeting was held at the conclusion of an internal investigation, which looked into the reasons the T20 Global League was financially unviable and found that while there were “pervasive governance lapses” around the tournament, “all monies were adequately accounted for” and there were “no irregularities or financial mismanagement”. CSA will now send the reports to external auditors, who have already started work and will take between eight and 12 months to complete their task, to determine a further course of action. Though no other internal investigation is planned, that could change depending on the outcome of the external audit.

More immediately, CSA will decide by mid-February if or how it plans to host a revamped T20 Global League. Currently, several members of management have been assigned to look into T20 models around the world to present to the board options for how a twenty-over tournament can be successfully held. If the board approves a model, CSA aims to have a broadcaster and sponsorship deal in place by the end of the South African summer in order to ensure a smooth run to a tournament next November. That may mean an entirely new concept, which may not involve any of the stakeholders that were set to be part of the original T20 Global League. Sources have confirmed that none of the eight franchise owners put pen to paper to sign deals for the inaugural competition and though CSA believes some of them are keen to continue, there is no confirmation any of them will.

CSA has also made no further progress in appointing a permanent CEO and discussions with the former boss, Haroon Lorgat, have yet to conclude. Lorgat’s tenure ended two years earlier than his contract stipulated after his position became untenable because of differences with members of the board over the hosting of the T20 Global League, and he is negotiating a payout.

Published in Daily Times, December 23rd 2017.

Link: https://dailytimes.com.pk/164970/cricket-south-africa-loses-14m-global-t20-postponement/

Comments: The PCB always gets bashed for every x, y, z reason but credit must be given to them for holding 2 and now 3 successful seasons of the PSL. I don't really think there is a world of a difference b/w a $14 million loss and a $25 million and this is unacceptable because South African Cricket Board itself is probably worth around $30-40 million at best which explains why they sold out to the BCCI in the Big 3 vote leaving Pakistan stranded as the only dissenting board. Seriously heads should roll in Cricket South Africa for this.
 
Stupid CSA. Should never have sacked Logart, at least he was bringing them their own version of money-making t20 league.

T20 leagues are the future of cricket, its where the money lies (even if there are losses early in the piece), we like it or not
 
THE Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) Members Forum considered the various options available to it regarding the future of the T20 Global League at its meeting on Saturday and decided on a three-tiered approach to take the matter forward.

The Forum appointed a task team, consisting of CSA Acting Chief Executive Thabang Moroe, Chief Financial Officer Naasei Appiah, three Member Presidents and three Member CEOs to interrogate the concept and in turn report to a workshop that will be attended by all Member Presidents, All Member CEOs and all members of the Board of CSA.

“The final decision,” commented CSA President Chris Nenzani, “will rest with the Members Forum to endorse the outcome of the Workshop.

“I envisage that the whole process will be completed in a couple of months as there is an obvious urgency to get the matter completed.”

The Members Forum also endorsed the decision of the Board to form a special contact group to work with Sport and Recreation South Africa and the Depart of Basic Education to address the matter of sports facilities and access in rural areas.

It was also announced that CSA will be holding a Transformation Indaba from April 13 to 15.
 
CRICKET SOUTH AFRICA (CSA) and the South African Cricketers’ Association today jointly announced a one-week delay in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two parties. The agreement which covers the next four-year period will be signed off by July 6, 2018.

The MOU18 agreement replaces the interim agreement that was put in place in April this year.

“Negotiations have taken place in a positive and constructive spirit,” commented CSA Acting Chief Executive Thabang Moroe, “but it is important that the drafting process is very thorough as it covers virtually every aspect of professional cricket for both men and women over the next four years, involving not just CSA and SACA, but the franchises and provinces as well.”

Tony Irish, SACA Chief Executive, commented: “A lot of progress has been made since CSA and SACA signed an Interim Agreement at the end of April and we have consensus on virtually all of the key aspects. We are now in the drafting process and have set ourselves a revised joint target of 6 July to complete that and sign the agreements.”

The MOU involves three separate comprehensive agreements being a Main Agreement, regulating player contract and related issues, a Commercial Rights Agreement, regulating the use of player commercial rights, and a Recognition Agreement, regulating the ongoing relationship between CSA and SACA.
 
CRICKET SOUTH AFRICA (CSA) has welcomed the interest shown by former franchise holders of the defunct T20 Global League to be involved in CSA’s new franchise-based T20 competition.

“The fact that they want to be part of it is an encouraging response,” commented CSA Acting Chief Executive Thabang Moroe, “and this confirms that they believe, as we indeed do, that our new T20 is a good product that compares with the best international standards.

“At the same time, it is essential that we follow process in the development of our T20 strategy which in the first place required us to resolve the outstanding issues from last year.

“As has been well documented, the key to the postponement was the inability to secure key stakeholders and revenue streams. We have now secured a broadcasting equity partner and are currently engaging potential sponsors.

“Once those parties are secured as a collective the business plan will be finalised.

“We will then be in a position to clarify what we can propose and offer to other stakeholders,” concluded Mr. Moroe.
 
Bloem City Blazers statement

We at City Sports have a wonderful relationship with the FSCU officials in Bloemfontein as well as the Consulate of South Africa in Hong Kong. We had a number of plans as a Bloemfontein franchise with regard to development at the grass roots and schools, investments in upgrading facilities in schools etc. As of now our position vis-a-vis CSA and private ownership is in a limbo. Some of the owners want to go legal and claim damages and compensation. We are still contemplating our future course of action. There is a general feeling of the owners being taken for a ride...including us. I can assure our second home Bloemfontein that City Sports will continue and explore ways to work with the FSCU officials for mutual benefit.

With regard to the meeting in Bombay, a couple of questions to CSA had no satisfactory answers:

1. When there were three separate proposals to take over the league and run the same, which would have been a win win, why were they not considered??

2. Supersport was the reason for the league to be postponed in the first place. What prompted CSA to sleep with the same enemy and part with a stake of 49%?

3. Lastly, we have information from the Govt point of view that no details of the financial deal with Supersport is available. There is a lack of transparency there.

The Board Director Iqbal Khan mentioned that the Ministry of Sport had conveyed to go without Private Ownership and the other director Louis von Zeuner concurred "

According to our sources in the Government, no one in the Government has any clue regarding CSA s deal with Supersport

Again, from a Governments perspective when foreign investment is encouraged esp. from HK and China, how come CSA has gone ahead and ruled out the model. The surprising reason given by CSA was that " Stakeholders of CSA do not want any Private Ownership".which personally I feel is unbelievable.

Finally, CSA promised that they will get back to the Board and seek their approval to offer a first right of refusal to existing owners in case they decide to privatise the league. The decision of the board will be conveyed to the owners within ten days.

So along with some fireworks, that's how the meeting ended. Absolute disappointment...!!!

Kind Regards

Sushil Kumar KC

Chairman – City Sports Limited
 
these leagues can survive only in subcontinent where people are mad about cricket and it is probably the only major sporting played.
no football no rugby
 
CAPE TOWN - Kausar Rana Resources (KRR), who are the owners of the Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) T20GL franchise the Durban Qalandars, released a statement in which they confirmed they will not accept anything less than a competing team in the proposed new T20 League.

CEO and owner of the Qalandars, Sameen Rana, says the franchise and investors are still committed to making their investment work and have received no compensation for last year’s failed competition.

“We wish to reiterate and clarify our position that KRR has not requested, at any stage, for our deposit to be refunded. Since no request was made by us for the refund, none was received. As a primary stakeholder and owner of a franchise that has made a huge investment in the South African League, we remain totally committed towards participating in CSA’s T20 event.”

Sushil Kumar, the owner of the Bloemfontein City Blazers and Ajay Sethi, who is the owner of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stars have openly questioned CSA’s handling of the T20 League. The owners feel they are being frozen out as CSA announced a new tournament in collaboration with local broadcaster SuperSport.

However, Qalandars owner Rana, much like other franchise investors, has warned CSA that they could face legal repercussions if they fail to deliver on their promises.

“In view of this commitment, our deposit is still with CSA and we expect them to respect and acknowledge all our rights, but should CSA renege on the agreements in place, then we will be left with no option but to legally protect our rights. We have already issued notice to CSA in this regard.”

CSA attempted to ease the tensions with franchise owners when CEO Thabang Moroe had high-level meetings in Mumbai and Dubai, but these consultations did nothing to ease the fears of the investors as Kumar labelled the meeting an “absolute disappointment”.

While Rana confirmed he has met with CSA and made it clear that the franchise Kausar Rana Resources (KRR) invested in must materialise and compete in the new T20 competition.

“Qalandars met with the CSA delegation in Dubai and we, once again, impressed upon them our position in the most clearest of terms. We are unequivocal that in any future event, our rights must be respected and that Qalandars must be a participating team in the T20 league.”

https://ewn.co.za/2018/08/15/qalandars-owner-our-rights-must-be-respected
 
Cape Town Knight Riders and Durban Qalandars?

How about names remotely relevant to the city?
 
CSA INVITES PLAYERS TO REGISTER INTEREST IN THE NEW SA T20 LEAGUE BY 2 OCTOBER 2018

CRICKET SOUTH AFRICA (CSA) today opened its register to receive applications from South African and overseas players (which includes both foreign overseas and returning Kolpak players) interested in participating in the SA T20 League.

The inaugural edition of the League will run during the last quarter of 2018, with the teams assembling from 9 November and the tournament running through to the Grand Final on 16 December.

A foreign overseas player is defined as a player who holds only a non-South African passport and who is not eligible, under ICC regulations, to play for South Africa. He must either be a current or former international player who has played international cricket in the past 18 months or has a high profile with a proven track record in domestic T20 tournaments around the world.

A “Returning Kolpak” player is defined as a player who is eligible to play for South Africa under ICC eligibility rules but has declared his intention not to play for South Africa and is registered with Kolpak status in another country. For the sake of clarity, a returning Kolpak player is, for the purpose of the League, classified as an overseas player.

A South African player is one who is eligible and available to play for South Africa and is also currently contracted either at national, franchise or senior provincial level in South Africa.

Players should be available from 9 November 2018 until 17 December 2018.

Interested players will need to register by going to the CSA Website (www.cricket.co.za) and accessing the registration process via the relevant SA T20 League registration link. Foreign overseas players will also need to submit a copy of their passports or other similar identification as part of the player registration process.

Players’ applications will then be vetted and, after acceptance by the League, will be notified to complete and submit an Agreement to Enter the Draft (AED) on the same link, which will be a binding agreement to enter the Draft.

The following information is required to complete the AED process:

The periods for which the player is available

Notification of any existing playing obligations/contracts that impacts his availability period during the tournament period.

Any Reserve Price the player may wish to set for the Draft (only applicable to overseas players); and
A high-resolution head and shoulders photograph in jpeg (20mm x 25mm)

In the case of a South African player, he will need to confirm whether he currently is a national, franchise or senior provincial contracted player in South Africa and provide a high-resolution head and shoulders photograph in jpeg (20mm x 25mm)

The closing date for players to register is 2 October 2018 and the Player Draft will take place on Wednesday, 17 October 2018.

The CSA Board has unanimously approved the following rules and regulations for the competition:

There will be six competing teams and a total of 32 matches on a home and away basis;
Each team will have 16 players;
Each team will have a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 4 overseas players. Overseas players are defined either as foreign overseas or Returning Kolpak players;
The six venues will be decided by a bid process open to all ICC accredited CSA Members that will include an independent analysis by an appropriate consultancy firm. No venue will host more than one team; and
Players will be centrally contracted by the League

“The time is now right for us to register players who would like to participate in our League,” commented CSA Chief Executive Thabang Moroe. “We will be seeking to secure the services of the foreign and South African marquee players who were recruited for the previous league on two-year contracts. In addition, subject to our international commitments, all the Standard Bank Proteas contracted players are expected to participate in most of the League.

“Any unavailability of Standard Bank Proteas players only affects the first few days of the league when the Proteas will be involved in their limited overs tour to Australia which finishes with the T20 match on November 17.

“I am also delighted to announce that that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has accepted our invitation to make some of their senior administrators, who have extensive experience in running the Indian Premier League (IPL), available to assist with the smooth running of our tournament.

“Their experience will be invaluable and will assist in ensuring that the League is one of international standing,” concluded Mr. Moroe.
 
mirza105 said:
these leagues can survive only in subcontinent where people are mad about cricket and it is probably the only major sporting played.
no football no rugby
Click to expand...

BBL is doing Ok despite 4 football/rugby codes to compete with, plus tennis etc as summer sports.
 
Cricket South Africa (CSA) today officially unveiled the Mzansi Super League (MSL), the much anticipated T20 League that is set to be the sport and entertainment spectacle of the South African summer. The inaugural event will take place from 16 November to 16 December 2018 and is set to feature some of the world’s top T20 talent.

With six spanking new city teams playing across six different venues around the country and with matches set to be broadcast exclusively live by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) on its television and radio platforms, the MSL T20 is set to thrill new and established cricket fans alike as it extends its reach to every community and every corner of the country.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in putting this milestone project together,” commented excited CSA Chief Executive, Thabang Moroe. “We look forward to welcoming, and being entertained by, some of the world’s best cricketers. We are also confident that the MSL will serve the dual objective of becoming a launchpad for our next generation of T20 talent.

“The event tagline is ‘FUN. FAST. FOR ALL’ which speaks volumes about the competition’s concept as well as the unique Mzansi touch and appeal that we want to showcase to the world,” Mr. Moroe explained.

SABC Chief Operations Officer, Chris Maroleng, added a ringing endorsement: “We are proud to be a part of this venture as we continue giving fresh and new sporting content in line with our overall objective to be the broadcaster of choice for all audiences.

“Our plans are well under way to make the MSL T20 the hottest sport spectacle this summer. South African audiences deserve the best sport content and this partnership with CSA is at the heart of our commitment to deliver this promise. We are putting together a world-class production that will showcase the expertise of the SABC to the rest of the world.”

The concept behind the unique logo was based on CSA’s over-riding responsibility towards uniting the people of Mzansi (a proudly South African colloquialism that captures patriotism and the spirit of the country’s diverse race and culture) through the power of the game.

MSL T20 Tournament Director, Russell Adams, said: “This competition will be a combination of the game’s traditions as well as new-age elements such as the presence of personalities like we have never seen before…a feast of cricket and entertainment.

“The solid tone of the logo speaks to a bond that we have as a nation, united through the strength of cricket. We want every South African to feel that they are a part of a league which celebrates our cultural diversity.”

The names of the six participating sides, the marquee Proteas players and the headline international signings will all form part of the competition Player Draft Matrix that will be held this coming Monday, 15 October.

“We can assure fans that the talent set to participate in the MSL T20 will be top-class, featuring our established Proteas alongside their international counterparts, while also showcasing our up-and-coming local talent. We invite all South Africans to come out in their numbers to be part of this dynamic and exciting addition to the South African sporting calendar,” added MSL T20 Playing Affairs Director, Corrie van Zyl.

The complete MSL T20 fixtures list and broadcast times as well as ticket information will be made available next week.
 
Amla announced as Durban Heat's SA marquee star

Durban – The Kingsmead Cricket Stadium-based team for the upcoming Mzansi Super League beginning in November has been officially unveiled as the Durban Heat with Proteas star Hashim Amla announced as their Marquee South African player.

The reveal of the team names as well as the distribution of South African marquee players was done on Monday, along with the announcement that Hollywoodbets Dolphins coach Grant Morgan, as well as his Dolphins back-up staff, will take charge of the Durban Heat.

“We’re excited to have Hashim returning to KZN to represent the Durban Heat,” CEO of KZN Cricket Heinrich Strydom mentioned.

“He brings with him a wealth of experience both at the highest level as well as at Kingsmead so he has a huge amount of knowledge to share.

“He is one of the most loved cricketers in the country and I am sure that having a player like him in our squad will be a hit with the crowds.

Dolphins coach Morgan led his chargers to the final of the RAM SLAM T20 Challenge last season, and along with assistant coach Imraan Khan, team manager Anderson Ndovela, physiotherapist Nick Moffit and trainer Gavin Muir, the Kingsmead coaching set-up remains unchanged with the addition of analyst Adhishwar Pillai.

"It is great that we can keep our back-room team together for this tournament. They have proved that they are a strong unit, understand how to win T20 matches and come in to the tournament with a proven track record.

"We are looking forward to see what sort of squad we put together at the draft later this week," Strydom added.

Along with the return of Amla, the Durban Heat are in the strong position of having first pick of their international marquee player at the draft that will be happening later in the week.

That selection will be for one of the international marquee players which include English stars Jason Roy, Eoin Morgan and Dawid Malan, Windies hero’s Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo as well as young Afghanistan star Rashid Khan.

All of Gayle, Bravo and Roy have a connection with Durban with Gayle and Bravo both being involved in Dolphins teams over the years, while Roy was born and schooled in Durban before immigrating to the United Kingdom in 2000.
 
Draft is currently in progress.

Asif Ali is the only Pakistani player selected so far.

Very few foreign players in the draft.
 
IN a defining moment for South Africa’s inaugural Mzansi Super League (MSL) T20, the Main Player Draft was held at Montecasino in Johannesburg today, with 71 foreign players going into the draft.

Each team had already been allocated a big-name Marquee Standard Bank Protea player. Today the teams made their picks from the six International Marquee Players and then filled the remaining 14 places in each squad from the foreign/kolpak and South African players who had applied to enter the draft.

In the mini-round to select the International Marquee Players, the Durban heat had first call and went for Rashid Khan of Afghanistan, the No. 1 ranked bowler in the current ICC T20 rankings. They were followed by the Jozi Stars who went for Chris Gayle of the Windies. Paarl Rocks followed with another Windies player, Dwayne Bravo. Cape Town Blitz then took Dawid Malan of England followed by Tshwane Spartans with England white ball captain Eoin Morgan and Nelson Mandela Bay Giants with England opening batsman Jason Roy.

In round one proper, the Giants led off with Chris Morris, followed by the Spartans with Lungi Ngidi, the Blitz with Andile Phehlukwayo, the Rocks with Tabraiz Shamsi, the Stars with Kolpak star Dane Vilas and the Heat with David Miller.

Lutho Sipamla became the first rookie to be chosen in Round Eight by the Spartans and they followed with another rookie in Tony de Zorzi in Round Nine. Other rookies signed were Sinethemba Qeshile for the Stars, Dyllan Matthews for the Giants, Okuhle Cele for the Heat, Eathan Bosch for the Rocks, and Kyle Verreynne for the Blitz.

The resulting teams are a unique blend of both local youth and international experience which is sure to make for some very exciting cricket.

The Draft order was predetermined by a weighted Player Matrix system. The players who are eligible for the main Draft are those who entered into a binding agreement to enter the Draft.


FINAL SQUADS



(in order of Protea Marquee Player, International Marquee Player, and then the 14 draft rounds, making a total of 16 players per squad)

CAPE TOWN BLITZ: Quinton de Kock, Dawid Malan (England), Andile Phehlukwayo, Dale Steyn, Samuel Badree (Windies), Asif Ali (Pakistan), Farhaan Behardien, Anrich Nortje, Janneman Malan, Malusi Siboto, George Linde, Ferisco Adams, Jason Smith, Sibonelo Makhanya, Kyle Verreynne (rookie), Dane Piedt.


DURBAN HEAT: Hashim Amla, Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Kyle Abbott (kolpak), Keshav Maharaj, Khaya Zondo, Albie Morkel, Marchant de Lange (kolpak), Vernon Philander, Brandon Mavuta (Zimbabwe), Temba Bavuma, Morne van Wyk, Okuhle Cele (rookie), Sarel Erwee, Tladi Bokako.


JOZI STARS: Kagiso Rabada, Chris Gayle (Windies), Dane Vilas (kolpak), Rassie van der Dussen, Daniel Christian (Australia), Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius, Eddie Leie, Pite van Biljon, Duanne Olivier, Ryan Rickelton, Sinethemba Qeshile (rookie), Simon Harmer (kolpak), Calvin Savage, Alfred Mothoa.


NELSON MANDELA BAY GIANTS: Imran Tahir, Jason Roy (England), Chris Morris, Jon-Jon Smuts, Junior Dala, Christiaan Jonker, Aaron Phangiso, Ben Duckett (England), Sisanda Magala, Ryan McLaren, Heino Kuhn, Marco Marais, Dyllan Matthews (rookie), Lizaad Williams, Rudi Second, Carmi le Roux.


PAARL ROCKS: Faf du Plessis, Dwayne Bravo (Windies), Tabraiz Shamsi, Dane Paterson, Aiden Markram, Mangaliso Mosehle, Bjorn Fortuin, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Grant Thomson, Paul Stirling (Ireland), Tshepo Moreki, Henry Davids, Cameron Delport (kolpak), Eathan Bosch (rookie), Patrick Kruger, Kerwin Mungroo.

TSHWANE SPARTANS: AB de Villiers, Eoin Morgan (England), Lungi Ngidi, Robbie Frylinck, Jeewan Mendis (Sri Lanka), Theunis de Bruyn, Rory Kleinveldt, Sean Williams (Zimbabwe), Gihahn Cloete, Lutho Sipamla (rookie), Tony de Zorzi (rookie), Dean Elgar, Andrew Birch, Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe), Shaun von Berg, Eldred Hawken.
 
Any link for the Drafted players list. I'm interested to know which big names are not being selected specially Pakistanis
 
Wow...Asif Ali the only Pakistani to get selected. This means that the global scouts have made note of his power hitting capabilities.

Heard Malik and Irfan were amongst the ones who did not get selected.
 
Chris Morris has revealed that the Mzansi Super League has been the big talk amongst the Standard Bank Proteas players in the last few weeks as the competition prepares to launch next month.

Just under two weeks ago, Cricket South Africa (CSA) officially unveiled the much anticipated Twenty20 League that is set to storm the country’s sporting summer

Star all-rounder Morris departed with the national team for their limited-overs tour to Australia on Tuesday with the team set to return days after the tournament begins on November 16. “The Mzansi Super League is an exciting thing for the players,” he said. “They’ve been talking about it for a while now, it really is something that Cricket South Africa have needed to have for a while.

“All the big countries have their own leagues, so for us it’s an opportunity to stamp our authority on world cricket.

“It’s really important and it will afford a lot of the young up and coming players the opportunity to stick up their hands, playing alongside some of the best T20 players in the business.

“These tournaments offer new opportunities, so it’s the perfect platform for them and also the more experience guys like us to show what we can do.”

The inaugural MSL T20 is scheduled to take place from November 16 to December 16. Last week it held its Player Draft, which came hot on the heels of the six participating team names being unveiled - Cape Town Blitz, Durban Heat, Jozi Stars, Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, Paarl Rocks and Tshwane Spartans.

Morris was the most sought-after player after the marquee names listed and was snapped up first at the impressive draft function held at Montecasino in Johannesburg. “I think the word is probably humbling,” he said of his selection. “I certainly wasn’t expecting it.

“It’s quite a special feeling and it’s a really nice thing for me personally.”

His employers for the competition are the Port Elizabeth-based Giants, who will be coached by Eric Simons.

“It’s a good hunting ground for me PE,” Morris added. “I’ve performed quite nicely there and I'm very happy to be joining up with the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants.

“We’ve got quite a good squad and quite a good coaching staff as well. I was very impressed with how they went about their selection at the draft, so it’s going to be good fun.”
 
AB de Villiers believes the Tshwane Spartans will add richly to the sporting tapestry of a city where, much like the Greek legends from which the new franchise draws its name, fans have grown accustomed to the taste of victory.

De Villiers stepped out at the launch of the Tshwane Spartans as the franchise’s marquee player for the new Mzansi Super League and there is no mistaking where ‘Mr 360’ wants to ply his trade. "I grew up here, I love playing cricket here, and this is where it all started for me. I could not have asked for a better base to play my cricket at," De Villiers said at the Spartans’ home-ground SuperSport Park on Thursday.

Despite retiring from the international game earlier this year De Villiers remains one of the biggest drawcards in the sport and is delighted that Cricket South Africa has launched the Mzansi Super League.

“It is a huge step in the right direction for Cricket South Africa, and South African cricket. As a unit, we’ll be looking to not just pull this tournament off, but make it a great spectacle for fans around the world to enjoy."

The Spartans squad is littered with star quality including England One-Day captain Eoin Morgan, young Standard Bank Proteas fast bowler Lungi Ngidi and Sri Lankan all-rounder Jeewan Mendis. De Villiers is looking forward to working alongside all of them and simply getting back on the field after a few months off.

“I am extremely excited. I haven't played cricket for a while, but I am getting back into swing of things. I have had these kinds of breaks before and it is always a challenge to get fit and hit balls again. I am really looking forward to that, and what will be a really good challenge in the Mzansi Super League."

As much as De Villiers sees the new league having international appeal, it’s at the home ground in Centurion where he expects the most fan-friendly cricket venue in the country to deliver an unmatched experience

“Tshwane has just got a fantastic atmosphere,” said De Villiers. “It’s the braai capital of South Africa, the people are friendly and they really get behind their team and I’m sure they will get behind the Tshwane Spartans.”

The Spartans will play the opening game of the Mzansi Super League against the Cape Town Blitz at PPC Newlands on November 16. De Villiers will play his first home game for his new team against the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants on November 25.

TSHWANE SPARTANS SQUAD: AB de Villiers, Eoin Morgan, Lungi Ngidi, Robbie Frylinck, Jeewan Mendis, Theunis de Bruyn, Rory Kleinveldt, Sean Williams, Gihahn Cloete, Lutho Sipamla, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Andrew Birch, Sikander Raza, Shaun von Berg, Eldred Hawken.
 
Cricket-SA_Mzansi-Super-League_Logo_Final
Immediate Release


CHRIS GAYLE TO FEATURE IN JOZI STARS MZANSI SUPER LEAGUE OPENER

Friday, 02 November 2018

JOZI Stars batting star Chris Gayle has confirmed for the Mzansi Super League first weekend when he turns out for his team's first fixture against Nelson Mandela Bay Giants at Bidvest Wanderers on Saturday, 17 October (7pm start).

Gayle, with his swashbuckling batting style, is arguably one of the best ever limited overs cricketers and is considered the prototype T20 cricket player, holding the distinction of the highest T20 score ever (175 not out).

The 39-year-old West Indian has great history at the 34 000-seating Bidvest Wanderers, popularly referred to as the “Bull Ring”, where he scored the first ever century in the shortest format of the game back in 2007.

Cricket South Africa Chief Executive, Thabang Moroe, said: "We are excited to have Chris part of this tournament from the start and he is looking forward to linking up with his Jozi Stars teammates.

"Seeing the 'World Boss' back in South Africa and playing cricket - we and the fans could not have asked for anything better than one of the most popular players that have ever played the game."

Gayle joins an already formidable line-up at Stars with Proteas marquee superstar bowler Kagiso Rabada, left arm paceman Beuran Hendricks as well as stylish batsman, Reeza Hendricks. The other international marquee players are Rashid Khan (Durban Heat) Jason Roy (Giants), Eoin Morgan (Tshwane Spartans) and Dwayne Bravo (Paarl Rocks).

South African marquee players for the tournament are Rabada, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, Imran Tahir and Quinton de Kock.
 
MenInG said:
Cricket-SA_Mzansi-Super-League_Logo_Final
Immediate Release


CHRIS GAYLE TO FEATURE IN JOZI STARS MZANSI SUPER LEAGUE OPENER

Friday, 02 November 2018

JOZI Stars batting star Chris Gayle has confirmed for the Mzansi Super League first weekend when he turns out for his team's first fixture against Nelson Mandela Bay Giants at Bidvest Wanderers on Saturday, 17 October (7pm start).

Gayle, with his swashbuckling batting style, is arguably one of the best ever limited overs cricketers and is considered the prototype T20 cricket player, holding the distinction of the highest T20 score ever (175 not out).

The 39-year-old West Indian has great history at the 34 000-seating Bidvest Wanderers, popularly referred to as the “Bull Ring”, where he scored the first ever century in the shortest format of the game back in 2007.

Cricket South Africa Chief Executive, Thabang Moroe, said: "We are excited to have Chris part of this tournament from the start and he is looking forward to linking up with his Jozi Stars teammates.

"Seeing the 'World Boss' back in South Africa and playing cricket - we and the fans could not have asked for anything better than one of the most popular players that have ever played the game."

Gayle joins an already formidable line-up at Stars with Proteas marquee superstar bowler Kagiso Rabada, left arm paceman Beuran Hendricks as well as stylish batsman, Reeza Hendricks. The other international marquee players are Rashid Khan (Durban Heat) Jason Roy (Giants), Eoin Morgan (Tshwane Spartans) and Dwayne Bravo (Paarl Rocks).

South African marquee players for the tournament are Rabada, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla, Imran Tahir and Quinton de Kock.
Click to expand...

17 October?
 
http://www.gameplanmedia.co.za/dolphinscricket/durbanheat/Header.jpg
Durban Heat Media Release

No: dh1810

12 Nov 2018

Embargo : None

Written by: Nick Tatham


Morkel to lead Durban Heat in MSLT20

Durban – Experienced former Proteas all-rounder Albie Morkel has been selected to captain the Durban Heat for the upcoming Mzansi Super League which starts for the Heat with a home game against the Cape Town Blitz on Sunday, 18 November.

The 37 year-old is arguably one of the most successful captains in South African franchise cricket and has played T20 cricket all over the world, including a long stint with the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.

With 309 T20 caps to his name, Morkel’s experience is almost unmatched in the MSL and given the all-rounder’s match-winning ability with both ball and bat it was an easy decision to give him the captaincy.

The Pretoria-based man might have played cricket all over the world, however he has never left SuperSport Park, so relocating to the East Coast for the month of the Mzansi Super League will be a different experience.

“I have played my cricket in Pretoria for fifteen years so I have become very comfortable with that environment, so it is going to be an exciting challenge,” Morkel said.

“We aren’t changing franchises or anything like that, this competition is completely new with completely new squads so it’s not going to be difficult to try and convince guys to get behind the team.”

The Durban Heat squad has a sound mixture of youth and experience with the likes of Hashim Amla, David Miller and Kyle Abbott as well as youngsters Tladi Bokako, Brandon Mavuta and Okuhle Cele.

Having the experienced players at his disposal is an asset that Morkel will take advantage of throughout the competition.

“I’m not walking in there thinking that I know everything. I have a lot of senior players to get help from and I am sure we will form a nice leadership group with all the senior guys.

“I’ll have the help of those guys but it will be up to me to make the calls on the field,” Morkel added.

Durban Heat coach Grant Morgan weighed up the options and felt that through his pedigree as a T20 player Morkel was the obvious choice to take on the captaincy.

"He has an incredible T20 track record that includes winning big T20 tournaments," Morgan said.

"He has the respect of his players and he is a player that will be picked in the starting XI.

"His T20 experience around the world is virtually unparalleled which is another massive plus for us."

Morgan and Morkel played cricket against each other many years ago, but from a professional perspective Morgan is looking forward to sharing ideas with the veteran.

"I am really looking forward to working with a player of Morkel's class and experience," Morgan mentioned.

The Durban Heat begin their Mzansi Super League campaign with a clash with the Cape Town Blitz on Sunday, 18 November at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium starting at 11am.


Durban Heat Fixtures:
18 Nov 11:00 Durban Heat v Cape Town Blitz Kingsmead, Durban
21 Nov 14:00 Durban Heat v Tshwane Spartans Kingsmead, Durban
23 Nov 19:00 Nelson Mandela Giants v Durban Heat St George's, Port Elizabeth
28 Nov 19:00 Durban Heat v Paarl Rocks Kingsmead, Durban
30 Nov 19:00 Jozi Stars v Durban Heat Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
02 Dec 11:00 Paarl Rocks v Durban Heat Eurolux Boland Park, Paarl
05 Dec 19:00 Durban Heat v Nelson Mandela Giants Kingsmead, Durban
07 Dec 14:00 Durban Heat v Jozi Stars Kingsmead, Durban
09 Dec 15:30 Cape Town Blitz v Durban Heat PPC Newlands, Cape Town
12 Dec 19:00 Tshwane Spartans v Durban Heat SuperSport Park, Centurion

Durban Heat Squad:
Hashim Amla, Rashid Khan, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Kyle Abbott, Keshav Maharaj, Khaya Zondo, Albie Morkel, Marchant de Lange, Vernon Philander, Brandon Mavuta, Temba Bavuma, Morné van Wyk, Okuhle Cele, Sarel Erwee, Tladi Bokako, Prenelan Subrayen.
 
Homegrown star Henry Davids to captain Paarl Rocks for MSLT20 openers

Monday, 12 November 2018

Henry Davids has been appointed Paarl Rocks captain for the team’s two opening games of the Mzansi Super League.

Faf du Plessis, currently in Australia with the Standard Bank Proteas, will be back to captain the Paarl Rocks for the highly anticipated local derby against Cape Town Blitz on Sunday 25 November.

“Henry is an experienced captain and knows the local players very well”, said Paarl Rocks head coach Adrian Birrell. “Davids is a key batsman for the Paarl Rocks, and his knowledge of the local conditions could prove to be invaluable”, Birrell added.

He will captain the Paarl Rocks team against the Tshwane Spartans and Jozi Stars on 18 and 20 November respectively.

Davids was born in Pniel outside Stellenbosch and made his first-class debut for Boland in the 2000/01 season. In the shortest form of the game he has played 157 matches, scoring 3251 runs at a strike rate of 123.51 and also picking up 20 wickets with an economy rate of 7.67.

James Fortuin, chief executive officer of the Paarl Rocks, said all systems are ready to go for the opening game against AB de Villiers’ Tshwane Spartans in Paarl. “The players have arrived; the stadium is ready; and everything is in place to provide our fans with a fantastic experience on Sunday”, he said.
 
Cape Town Blitz International Marquee player Dawid Malan announced himself to the Blitz Brigade with an impressive 85 runs off 54 balls, despite the home team going down by 7 wickets to Paarl Rocks in the first of two warm-up matches played at PPC Newlands.

Malan was the mainstay of the innings, before falling to Dane Paterson (5/26) in the 18th over of the innings. The Blitz eventually posted a competitive 145/8 from their 20 overs. Paarl Rocks chased down the 146-run target in the 18th over, to claim the victory but the result mattered little to Malan.

"Before the warm-up matches, we spoke about the results not really being important as we need to peak by Friday. If we are totally honest, what we did [in the first warm-up match] wasn't good enough. We were about 20 to 30 runs short and with the ball we probably bowled a few loose balls - but if you take that away, hopefully, we can learn from that and try to improve so that by the time Friday comes, we can peak and hopefully we are all playing really well and can put in a good performance," he said.

"These [warm-up] games are about the guys finding their feet, finding the fact that they are able to make mistakes and they can still rectify it - as long as the guys are learning and realise that what happens in these games doesn't really affect things too much. Ashwell has picked these guys - he backs them, I back them and it's about getting the best out of them because they are a talented bunch," he added.

Malan admitted that he struggled to find his rhythm in the early stages of his innings but soon got his timing going to find the boundary on 12 occasions - 6 fours and 6 maximums. Despite not having any support with the bat on the night, Malan still thinks highly of the young players in the Blitz squad.

"I have seen guys like Jason Smith play before, he looks a really strong character. Sibz [Makhanya] hits the ball cleanly and then you have [George] Linde who is a good bowler, has good skills and hits the ball as far as anyone," he stated.

"Just watching [Anrich] Nortje bowling, he bowled at the speed of lightning, that was pretty scary. It is exciting to see guys come through and experience it. I think the key in this tournament is to encourage these young players that when they do play, to just have no fear and show the world what they can do.

"If they don't come off, they are not losing anything but if they come off, they can show everyone what they are made of," he said.
 
Press Release – for Immediate Release

Dane Vilas Appointed as the first Captain of the Jozi Stars

Tuesday, 13 November 2018

Dane Vilas has been appointed as the first captain of the Jozi Stars for the inaugural edition of the Mzansi Super League.

Vilas made his international debut against India in a one-off Twenty20 International in 2012 and went on to play six Test matches for the Standard Bank Proteas in 2015 and 2016. He is a born and bred Jozi boy, having had four successful seasons at the bizhub Highveld Lions, before moving to the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras in search of more opportunities due to the emergence of Thami Tsolekile and Quinton de Kock at his former franchise.

He signed a Kolpak deal with Lancashire before the 2017 season and has been appointed as the captain of Lancashire club for 2019. The 33-year-old was Lancashire's top County Championship run scorer in their 2018 season.

Now he has made himself available to play for the Jozi Stars and is hoping that he can add value to this amazing side when he links up with his new teammates, as the Mzansi Super League tournament officially starts this coming weekend.

He has played 120 matches in the T20 format and made well over 2 000 runs.

"I’m absolutely delighted to have been offered the opportunity to become captain of the Jozi Stars and I feel honoured and humbled to be in a position to lead this T20 team in the upcoming Mzansi Super League,” he said.

Head coach Enoch Nkwe added: "Dane is a vastly experienced cricketer who will have the complete respect of the dressing room, and I'm confident he is the right man to be at the forefront of the Jozi Star’s with this fantastic group of players."
 
ABRAIZ SHAMSI might just be licking his lips at the prospect of bowling on his new home Eurolux Boland Park pitch that may just be tailor made for him, as he turns out for Paarl Rocks in the Mzansi Super League.

The left arm chinaman bowler will turn out for the Rocks soon after his return from Proteas duty in Australia next week, as his Rocks team mates get into preparatory mode for their tournament opening fixture at home against Tshwane Spartans on Sunday afternoon (3.30pm).

Generally, the Paarl outfield is among the bigger venues in the country while the wicket is known to be more suitable for spin, especially in day matches with all but one of the Rocks fixtures being played in daylight.

“I always enjoy bowling in Paarl, it does offer assistance to spin bowlers and the boundaries are quite big in comparison to other grounds in the country which is also a help,” Shamsi said.

“I think that in the home games, the pitch will be suitable for my type of bowling, but with that said, you still have to do the job on the day. I won’t take anything for granted and I am looking forward to playing in front of passionate support in Paarl. It is going to be exciting.”

The mighty Rocks might actually be carrying the most potent tournament squad suitable for this format of the game with the likes of Henry Davids, Mangaliso Mosehle, Dane Paterson, Bjorn Fortuin and Vaughn van Jaarsveld at their disposal.

Shamsi and Proteas captain Faf du Plessis are the top attractions alongside international marquee signing, West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo.

The all-rounder duo of David Wiese and Australian Michael Klinger will be replacing Cameron Delport and Paul Stirling, with Delport on duty elsewhere for the start of the tournament.

In the meantime, Shamsi is also looking forward to playing alongside and against some of his national team mates in the coming weeks while also praising the Mzansi Super League concept.

The 28-year-old said: “I am fortunate to have Faf in my team. It will be a wonderful challenge playing against Proteas teammates with one particular person being batsman Hashim Amla, who is one of the best players of spin in the world. I am looking forward to challenging myself against him. Another one is AB de Villiers…what I’m not looking forward to is facing (Jozi Stars fast bowler) Kagiso Rabada!”

On the Mzansi Super League, Shamsi said: “I think this will be a great platform for upcoming talent in South Africa because we have seen what the Indian Premier League has done for Indian cricketers. You can see how strong their team is now because the young players mingle with the best players in the world and get to learn from them.

“I think South African cricket overall, will be in a better state after the tournament kicks off, and this can only mean good things for up and coming talent in South Africa.”
 
AB DE VILLIERS NAMED SPARTANS CAPTAIN

AB de Villiers has been appointed captain of the Tshwane Spartans for the first edition of the Mzansi Super League.

A former national captain, the 34-year old has plenty of T20 experience having featured in 251 T20s, with an enviable strike-rate of 147.91. A veteran of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the flamboyant batsman has featured in every season of cricket's premier T20 tournament.

De Villiers’ heart lies in the Tshwane region; he was born, raised, schooled and learned his cricket there and the Spartans’ home ground SuperSport Park has been treated to numerous grand feats throughout his memorable career. “It’s a huge honour to captain this team in the first Mzansi Super League,” said De Villiers.

When he leads the Spartans out on the opening night against Cape Town Blitz on Friday night at PPC Newlands, it will be his first appearance in a competitive match since he announced his retirement from international cricket earlier this year.

“I’m really excited to work with this group of players – there’s a lot of talent, with a great balance between youth and experience.

“Even though we’re missing out on a few players that aren’t available yet, we still have a fantastic balance in the side. There’s good skill right through, with batting depth all the way down to number nine, which isn’t normally the case with T20 cricket.

“I’m excited about our bowlers as well. There’s lots of experience with a number of guys who have done this day in and day out and a couple of wrist spinners, with the option to go right or left-arm orthodox, so there are lots of variations.”

When talking of his own style of captaincy, De Villiers will look to draw on his vast experience.

“I try lead from the front and rely on the experience I’ve picked up over the years. I believe I’m a decent man manager when it comes to understanding players’ strengths and weaknesses. I’m looking forward to it. It’s an exciting challenge and I’m ready for it.”

Having previously worked alongside De Villers as both a player and coach, Mark Boucher believes his experience is well-suited for a tournament of this magnitude.

“The players that make up our squad are leaders in their own right but you need someone to tie that all together and AB knows these conditions better than anyone. He’s comfortable in his own space and in tournaments like these.

“In the IPL he’s played in big pressure matches so he’s the perfect man for the job. He leads from the front and plays with great intensity. For T20 cricket that’s what the game is all about. AB and Virat Kohli are in the same sort of mould, and how Virat rallies his team is how I think AB will rally the Spartans.

"I know the other guys will want to play for him and at his intensity, and that will get the best out of their own game.”

De Villiers’ first call of duty will be later tonight, when the Spartans travel South of the Juksei to take on Jozi Stars in a practice match under the lights at the Bidvest Wanderers, ahead of Friday's opener.

The first match is one of three on the road, before the men in red and green make their home debut at SuperSport Park against the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants on Sunday, 25 November.

“We start with three away games which is not normally ideal, but on the other hand, it gives us the opportunity to get a few away wins under the belt and hopefully we do start well,” added De Villiers.

https://m.facebook.com/notes/tshwane-spartans/ab-de-villiers-named-spartans-captain/135361490680285/
 
Media Release :

Cape Town Blitz head coach Ashwell Prince was pleased with his team's overall performance in their two warm-up games against Paarl Rocks ahead of the start of the inaugural Mzansi Super League.

Despite Cape Town Blitz not getting positive results in both matches - losing by 7-wickets and 10-runs respectively - Prince was nonetheless happy with the standout individual performances of his young squad

Marquee player Dawid Malan scored 85 in the opening match at PPC Newlands while Janneman Malan (38), Jason Smith (50) and Kyle Verreynne (50) came good with the bat in the second encounter at Eurolux Boland Park. Smith and Verreynne shared a 102-run fourth-wicket partnership, which bodes well for the young duo.

"Obviously people are going to say that we lost both games but from our point of view, the result of these two matches didn't matter from the outset. It was more about the guys using the week to get into the right mindset for Friday," Prince said.

"Dane Piedt bowled really well [in the second game], Anrich Nortje bowled well [in the first game], Dawid Malan batted really well [in the first game], and then Janneman Malan, Kyle Verreynne and Jason Smith got runs in the second game.

"We now have more people getting closer to form before that first game [against the Tshwane Spartans at PPC Newlands] and that's what it is really about. We want to hit the tournament with most of the team close to their best. Obviously, there are still a few guys to come in but it's shaping up nicely.

"They [the younger players] don't have a lot of experience in this format of the game and there are still six guys to come into the squad. So for them, they have to try to stake a claim to get a place [in the starting XI] when everyone is here.

"These types of performances can only aid them in trying to get into the starting XI when everyone is here," he added.
 
Port Elizabeth – One of Ben Duckett’s birthday presents for 2018 was being drafted by the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants in the 2018 Mzansi Super League T20.

Duckett was chosen in the sixth round by the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants. “It’s pretty special. I feel privileged to have been picked up in the draft and I can’t wait to get started with the lads and to try and put in some performances to help us win”.

Duckett looks forward to playing with his compatriot Jason Roy in the team and says, “it’s always nice to play with familiar faces, Jason is one of the most destructive players in the world and can’t wait to share the field with him again”.

“I’ve heard it’s a pretty special atmosphere at St George’s Park and as a new face it will be nice to try and get the crowd on my side. I love playing in front of a good crowd so I can’t wait to get started. I played for England under 17 in Port Elizabeth so I can’t wait to get out there again”, he added.

“I can’t wait to play with such big-name players. I’m going to try and pick their brains as much as I can and try to improve as a player”. Duckett and the rest of the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants met in Port Elizabeth on the 12th of November and went straight into their first practice.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Giants play their first game against the Jozi Stars on 17 November and their first home match of the season on November 23 against the Durban Heat. Tickets for the match are available at Ticketpros or at the St George’s Park Ticket Office.
 
Last edited:
Port Elizabeth – The Nelson Mandela Bay Giants held a press conference on 13 November and addressed the Media about their plans and expectations for the exciting upcoming Mzansi Super League. Coach Eric Simons, captain Jon-Jon Smuts, team manager Shafiek Abrahams and players; Junior Dala and Ben Duckett were in attendance.

“We had a very good draft, I’m very happy with the squad that we put together. Finally, we have got together as a team and are getting to know each other. The first objective is to turn sixteen individuals into a team with a common objective”, Simons said. The Giants assembled in Port Elizabeth on 12 November and went straight into their first practice.

Captain, Jon-Jon Smuts, highlighted how the Giants will look to “exploit the conditions” through their spin options, when they play at St George’s Park as well as to play well in their home games as “it makes life a little easier” when they’re on the road.

“We’re looking to take the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants to the people, as a community team”, added team Manager Shafiek Abrahams. The Giants have various activations that will be happening at different hubs and schools in Port Elizabeth. He encouraged the fans to come and support all the home matches at St George’s Park.

Junior Dala, highlighted how the team has “a good balance of good youngsters and international players, where the team won’t rely only on experienced players to perform”.

England international, Ben Duckett said that he was looking forward to, “learning from his teammates” and “playing my part, wherever I’m needed”.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Giants play their first game against the Jozi Stars on 17 November and their first home match of the season on November 23 against the Durban Heat.
 
Media Release

Pakistan international Muhammad Nawaz is relishing the opportunity to play at his second 'home' when he represents the Cape Town Blitz in the inaugural Mzansi Super League.

Nawaz, who is married to a Capetonian, is no stranger to this part of the world and will not only be playing in front of his family for the first time, but it will also be his first time playing at PPC Newlands.

"I am very happy to be in Cape Town and it is a good opportunity for me to be part of the Cape Town Blitz," he said.

"It is my second home, so it's not a different environment for me. I have been to Cape Town before but not for cricket. Hopefully, I can perform well and make this my new home. I am very excited to play my first game at Newlands and my Cape Town family will be here to watch me play for the first time," he added.

The allrounder, who made his T20 International debut in 2016 and has subsequently represented Pakistan on 16 occasions, linked up with the Cape Town Blitz on Wednesday and got stuck in straight away to adapt to his new surroundings.

"I had a good session in the nets where I batted and bowled a little longer than usual as I am trying to adapt to the conditions. The pitches here has more bounce, so as a bowler you have to change your line and length, and as a batsman, you have to pick the correct shots," he stated.
 
Media Release

LEGENDARY Pakistani opening batsman Aamir Sohail will lead a strong commentary team containing 17 top names for the Mzansi Super League, which officially opens with a top clash between the Cape Town Blitz and Tshwane Spartans at PPC Newlands tomorrow evening (7pm start).

The 32 tournament matches will be exclusively showcased by the SA Broadcasting Corporation in the sub-Saharan region with Sony Entertainment Network in India and the sub-continent region.

Joining Sohail - the free-scoring and now well trusted voice of cricket in the sub-continent region - will be other familiar international voices in Dominic Cork (England), Alistair Campbell (Zimbabwe) alongside a quartet of former Proteas talents in Lance Klusener, Paul Harris, Andre Nel and Monde Zondeki.

Injured current Protea JP Duminy, who captained the national side in Sri Lanka two months ago, will also form part of the commentary box as he gives fresh dressing room analysis with strong authority from recent dressing room experiences.

There will be the sultry, trusted voices from Kass Naidoo, Natalie Germanos, Mluleki Ntsabo, Udo Carelse as well as fresh additions with television personalities in Katlego Maboe and Graeme Richards.

Three men familiar with the domestic cricket scene - Ahmed Amla (in Durban), Justin Kreusch (Port Elizabeth) and Nono Phongolo (Gauteng) - will also give the commentary team an additional edge for the tournament.
 
Media Release:

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Friday clinched the Mzansi Super League broadcast rights in the United Kingdom with FreeSports, who will officially show all 32 tournament matches in the first edition.

FreeSports is a channel operated and owned by Premier Media S.à r. in the United Kingdom. The channel launched on 31 August 2017 and is dedicated to bringing free sport back to 22 million UK homes through the Freeview, Sky, Freesat, TalkTalk and BT Platforms.

CSA Chief Executive Thabang Moroe said: “We have worked incredibly hard to ensure that the Mzansi Super League is showcased in most part of the world, and are proud to announce this fantastic partnership with an equally visionary partner.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) will be exclusively showcasing the tournament in the sub-Saharan region and the partnership with Sony Entertainment Television will provide exclusive coverage in India and the sub-continent market.”

FreeSports is already home to the Guinness PRO14 rugby matches, showing all 152 games per year across Premier Sports. The channels also broadcasts UEFA European Football Qualifiers, International Champions Cup, NHL, NASCAR, Liga Nos, Speedway and GAA.

The Mzansi Super League starts today, Friday 16 November, with the tournament final set to be played on 16 December. Some of the tournament stars include world superstars AB de Villiers, Kagiso Rabada and the English trio of captain Eoin Morgan, Jason Roy and Dawid Malan.
 
Durban Heat Media Release


Amla raring to go for Durban Heat at MSL T20

Durban – One of the Durban’s favourite cricketing sons Hashim Amla is fit and raring to go following a long injury lay-off when the Durban Heat kick off their Mzansi Super League campaign against the Cape Town Blitz at Kingsmead on Sunday.

Amla tore a tendon in his finger while fielding during the Caribbean Premier League and hasn’t played since, but having been through nearly two months of rehabilitation and a couple of practice games he is ready to take his place at the top of the Heat batting order.

The Proteas T20 opening batsman has evolved his game and become one of the stand-out T20 batsmen in the world. He was not seen as a T20 batting prospect initially; however, through experience and a shift in mind-set Amla has become a formidable T20 striker.

“When I started playing T20 cricket I just thought it was a game where you tried to hit every ball for four when it is not like that,” Amla said.

“Everyone has a unique approach to batting and so it is all about making that work within the T20 format.

“Using that approach has helped me find my specific method that works in the format.”

The Durban Heat has assembled a strong blend of youth and experience and, with the likes of Amla, captain Albie Morkel and David Miller, there is a lot of T20 experience between them but there are a number of exciting younger players in the set-up.

“We have got a really good squad of players. All the teams have some strong players but I think we have a really well-rounded team.

“There are a lot of Durban-based players which is healthy and will hopefully bring the people of Durban out to Kingsmead,” he mentioned.

With 183 T20 games under his belt across international and franchise competitions Amla’s experience will be invaluable for the Heat. His ability to impart knowledge to the other players will also be a bonus for the side.

“There are a few ways in which I can pass on what I know to the younger players.

“The first way is through the way you practice. When I was a youngster I used to look at the more experienced players and observe what they do.

“The other way is to just be with the guys. Whether you have had a good game or not, the interaction with the other players is healthy and that is how you learn,” Amla added.

The fast-paced nature of T20 tournaments means that players have little time to breathe between games. Amla understands the pressures that come with a helter-skelter schedule and the importance of staying calm.

“If you do lose two or three it is easy to get caught up in that and suggest that changes be made but the key is to try and find a rhythm.

“The earlier you find that rhythm the better and it is important to not panic because you are going to go through tough patches in these tournaments.

“It’s very seldom that teams go and win eight or nine games in a row. You are going to lose two or three, even in a good season,” Amla said.

Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketpros.co.za and at Kingsmead Stadium.

More information can be found at www.durbanheat.co.za.

Durban Heat Fixtures:
18 Nov 11:00 Durban Heat v Cape Town Blitz Kingsmead, Durban
21 Nov 14:00 Durban Heat v Tshwane Spartans Kingsmead, Durban
23 Nov 19:00 Nelson Mandela Giants v Durban Heat St George's, Port Elizabeth
28 Nov 19:00 Durban Heat v Paarl Rocks Kingsmead, Durban
30 Nov 19:00 Jozi Stars v Durban Heat Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
02 Dec 11:00 Paarl Rocks v Durban Heat Eurolux Boland Park, Paarl
05 Dec 19:00 Durban Heat v Nelson Mandela Giants Kingsmead, Durban
07 Dec 14:00 Durban Heat v Jozi Stars Kingsmead, Durban
09 Dec 15:30 Cape Town Blitz v Durban Heat PPC Newlands, Cape Town
12 Dec 19:00 Tshwane Spartans v Durban Heat SuperSport Park, Centurion

Durban Heat Squad:
Hashim Amla, Rashid Khan, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Kyle Abbott, Keshav Maharaj, Khaya Zondo, Albie Morkel, Marchant de Lange, Vernon Philander, Brandon Mavuta, Temba Bavuma, Morné van Wyk, Okuhle Cele, Sarel Erwee, Tladi Bokako, Prenelan Subrayen.
 
Happy for South African fans that the league is taking off this year
Although I feel the name is more suitable than last years, the teams have gone down in terms of quality and branding
Dawid Malan has gone from being the 6th pick, to becoming a marquee player

With owners from IPL and PSL last year, there was probably more interest from cricket fans around the world, but this year I’m guessing the local interest would be much greater thanks to change of names and local owners.

Hope the league is successful and in coming years the foreign player quality improves
 
Media Release:

EDDIE LEIE believes the Jozi Stars have the nucleus to make a big impression in the inaugural Mzansi Super League ahead of their opening game against the Nelson Mandela Giants in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The two teams will be looking to make a bright start to the T20 competition and lay down an early marker for themselves at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium.

Standard Bank Proteas spinner Leie, whose side have marquee international signing Chris Gayle fit and available for their first game, believes the West Indian is one of several key players in their formidable squad.

“I'm really excited by this team,” he said. “We have good depth in our batting and we have bowlers that can win us games.

“And that’s what you need in T20 cricket, so we really have all the foundations here for success and I am looking forward to it.”

Apart from Gayle, the Stars also have Australian Dan Christian in their ranks, with their Protea power coming in the form of Reeza Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius and Kagiso Rabada, who are ruled out of the opening weekend due to national commitments.

Other South Africa players past and present in the Enoch Nkwe-coached side are captain Dane Vilas, Rassie van der Dussen, Duanne Olivier, Beuran Hendricks and Simon Harmer.

“In order to win any international league, it’s a given that you have to have very good local players in your team.” Leie explained. “Obviously you can only play three internationals, so you have to have good local players. I think that for the team that will win here, it will be the same.”

The 31-year-old is also impressed by the organisation of the MSL T20 thus far. “I’ve played in the CPL (Caribbean Premier League) and the standard was very high,” he added. “But this league is international standard, the way we travel, the way we are catered for, the way everything is run, it’s all top-class.

“We just want things to get started now. I can actually feel the buzz around coming in to the Wanderers, it’s the same as any international game or any CPL match I’ve participated it.”

The Giants boast an equally good team and coach Eric Simons says they are all raring to go. “After being involved in the preparations for a while now, you eventually do want the games to begin,” he said. “We’re all really excited and hopefully we can go well in that first game.”

The men from the Eastern Cape boast an equally formidable side, which boasts the likes of England internationals Jason Roy and Ben Duckett.

Their South Africa marquee man is Imran Tahir, with other Proteas past and present like skipper Jon-Jon Smuts, Christiaan Jonker, Heino Kuhn, Chris Morris, Ryan McLaren, Junior Dala and Aaron Phangiso also in the side.

Roy, Morris and Tahir will all miss the first game.

Unlike some of the other coaches, Simons does not feel winning the first game is absolutely essential.

“It’s always good to make a winning start, but we’ve seen teams come from behind, so one loss won’t put us out of the competition,” he added. “As long as we can see positives, you’re learning and moving forward. A positive start is what we want to see.”
 
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