Cricket South Africa’s new T20 League’s name has been announced with the first game starting on 23 Jan 2023.
17 players per team
10 players local per team
7 international players per team
The playing XI will have 7 local and 4 overseas players maximum.
Auction date: 19 September.
Each team will have a total budget of $2 million to spend on up to 12 players with 17 being the maximum amount of players in a squad.
Here are some of the main quotes from T20 league Commissioner Graeme Smith.
“This is an opportunity for us to introduce ourselves as we build up to the auction on September 19.
“Our player group will be SA focused but we’ve also got an extensive list of international players lined up for the auction.
“We are still finalizing details of lots and sorting out player registrations. A shortlist will be created for the auction. A list of who has already signed what will be made public. The 2 million purse includes the pre-signed players.”
“The Big Bash League is only until early new year’s before our league starts. They’ll be released to play for SA20 in January.”
“SA has played T20 before, we’re just excited that we’re now at a level where we can stand alone because we’ve reached international standard.”
“The Women’s element is also 100 per cent in our plans. Especially now with us hosting the women’s league. It just wasn’t feasible this year but it’s definitely in the pipeline.”
“At least 7 of the playing 11 are going to be SA based so we don’t foresee any problems with navigating having international players on our teams.”
“We also have local players of international standard and are focusing heavily on getting even more of our local players to that level.”
“There’s a deal with Supersport but we have started discussions with radio and are looking for other ways to bring the games to the people.”
Press release:
Exxplosive, Exxhilarating and Exxciting, the SA20 is here!
Wednesday, 31 August: South Africa’s premier T20 League has been unveiled as the SA20, an Explosive, Exhilarating and Exciting competition set to change the face of South African cricket.
The SA20 identity is founded on vibrant, bold, and energetic iconography, all the dynamic elements synonymous with T20 cricket. The XX – roman numerals for the number 20- represent T20 cricket’s dynamic wagon wheel, a key indicator of runs being scored, and bring to life the flair and thrill expected in the competition. The striking colours of cyan, navy and green are symbolic to the world of cricket – day, night and the 22 yards.
League Commissioner, Graeme Smith, says the SA20 will be a competition for everyone.
“Today is another significant day as we officially unveil the SA20,” Smith said. “We selected a name for its simplicity and something that can be uniquely ours as we enter this new and exciting phase of cricket in South Africa. Dropping the T in T20 cricket shows our intention to be different. We want to change the game for our players and for our fans, and most importantly, create a League that all South Africans can be a part of.”
The SA20 has attracted some of T20 cricket’s global stars including Liam Livingstone, Jos Buttler, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan and Moeen Ali to add to the list of world-class contracted Proteas players.
The next important milestone for the SA20 will be the player auction taking place on September 19th. The player registrations closed on Sunday evening with a positive show of interest from players around the world and from established and young South African talent.
“The countdown to January 2023 gets more thrilling with each major milestone that we cross and today is another step towards that first ball being bowled. We hope fans will be able to relate to our brand as we work towards making the SA20 a world-class tournament South Africans can be proud of.”
