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Graeme Smith Sets SA20’s Next Five-Year Vision
SA20 is a cricket tournament in South Africa.
Its commissioner, Graeme Smith, says he wants it to improve every year.
Teams recently chose players in an auction, where 19 spots were available.
Jason Rowles was bought by the Joburg Super Kings for R2.9 million.
Smith said teams have become better at finding young South African players.
He also said the league has helped bring more people to cricket games.
As the tournament grows, people may discuss adding teams or making its season longer.
Smith said the league wants to remain one of the world’s leading T20 competitions.
SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith says the league’s next five years should focus on improving year by year and strengthening its place among leading franchise T20 competitions.
The six franchises filled 19 available places in a mini-auction, after 789 players registered and the list was cut to 156.
Joburg Super Kings signed Jason Rowles for R2.9 million; veteran Kieron Pollard was also among the auction’s notable acquisitions.
Smith said discussions about adding franchises and extending the tournament window will come as the league grows, but decisions should be made year by year.
Smith said SA20 has helped raise domestic standards, bring fans back to stadiums and create opportunities for South African talent.
- Who
- SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith and the league’s six franchises.
- What
- Smith outlined his vision for SA20’s next five years, as franchises completed a mini-auction for 19 available places.
- Where
- The tournament is in South Africa; Smith spoke to IANS in an interaction facilitated by SA20.
- When
- The comments followed the auction held on Wednesday, ahead of SA20’s fifth season.
- Why
- Smith said the league aims to improve each year, strengthen its position among global franchise T20 leagues and continue developing cricket and its fan base in South Africa.
Key facts
- League
- SA20
- Commissioner
- Graeme Smith
- Season milestone
- The league is set to enter its fifth season.
- Franchises
- Six
- Auction registrations
- 789 players registered; the list was trimmed to 156.
- Auction pool
- 95 South Africans and 61 overseas players competed for 19 available slots.
- Jason Rowles
- Signed by Joburg Super Kings for R2.9 million.
- Possible future changes
- Smith said franchise additions and the tournament window may be discussed as the league grows.
Quotes
Graeme Smith
SA20 league commissioner
“I think, look, our vision is to get better and better every year. I think firstly you need to be a league of choice and I was really excited just for 19 slots to see how many players put their name on the auction list to be a part of it.”
thehansindia.com
“For us, we want to make sure that in the Southern Hemisphere, along with IPL and maybe the Hundred and so on, that we're up there with the top leagues in the world, which we've managed to do for the first five years.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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