SA20

Cricket South Africa (CSA) is the organization behind the SA20 Twenty20 franchise cricket event, which will be played for the first time in 2023. Six teams from cities throughout the nation compete in it. Sunrisers Eastern Cape were the tournament’s initial champions.

History

SA20 was founded in 2020 by the Cricket South Africa (CSA) board as part of their plan to revamp cricket in the country. The league was established to provide a platform for young and talented cricketers to showcase their skills. Moreover, it also helps to create a pathway for them to reach the national team. The league was launched in 2021 with the participation of six franchises representing different cities in South Africa.

SA20 Format

In the competition’s group stages, the six teams face off against one another twice before the top four teams advance to the semifinal round.

It is the second cricket league in the world, after the IPL, to use an auction to choose players rather than a draft. Before the auction, each team can enroll up to five players. This consists of three international players, one South African international player, and one uncapped South African player. Each club purchases a team of 17 players.

Birth of the League

Cricket The T20 World League was founded by South Africa in 2017. Due to a lack of a broadcast agreement and title sponsor, the first season was postponed by a year. Meanwhile, the Mzansi Super League, a league with six CSA-owned teams, took its place in June 2018. Both leagues eventually failed. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MSL was only able to run for two seasons—2020 and 2021.

With a recently created organization called Africa Cricket Development (Pty) Ltd, SA20 was created by CSA in 2022. (ACD). With a 50% investment in ACD, CSA holds the bulk of the company, followed by broadcaster SuperSport with a 30% stake, and former Indian Premier League Chief Operating Officer Sunder Raman with a 20% stake. Franchises from the IPL purchased all six of the teams. [8] The One Day International series against Australia that was scheduled to be played in January 2023 was postponed for SA20 to take place, the Cricket South Africa (CSA) stated in July 2022.

Graeme Smith was named the tournament’s commissioner in August 2022. The star players for the first season were revealed later in the month.

Revenues

SA20 is expected to generate significant revenues for Cricket South Africa. The league would attract major broadcasting deals and sponsorships, as well as significant ticket sales. The success of T20 leagues around the world has shown that cricket has the potential to become a major source of revenue.