SA20 League?s Impact on Cricket

The SA20 Schedule  excitement of the inaugural season of the South African T20 league in 2023 was that it would unearth gems and revitalize national teams across all formats. That vision has been largely realised, with the emergence of young talent, renewed interest in the game and international attention giving it a much-needed shot in the arm.

But the success of SA20 is also revealing its darker side. While it is a window the country and the world can enjoy, it is also a door that slams shut on players who were not invited to the party. Those who did not secure deals with the six franchises will spend the peak summer period idle. And while CSA can point to the fact that they started a schools league for boys and girls, and hired former national assistant coach Vincent Barnes to work with them, this is only a small part of what needs to be done.

As for the brand value of the franchises, it is interesting to note that all but one are owned by IPL team owners – the Sun Group owns CSK in the IPL and the Joburg Super Kings in SA20. Interestingly, the brand value of the Joburg franchise is estimated at USD 10-15 million.

While there are some sceptics who say that the SA20 is a mere cash-grab for CSA, it is clear that the model has made it easier for more players to make a living from the game, and it may even lead to cost-cutting in the future. That could mean fewer franchises but more fixtures for those that are kept on, which would be a good thing for the long-term health of the sport.