Graeme Smith on SA20: We’re building something meaningful for South African cricket

As South African cricket fans shift their focus to the T20 World Cup, SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith has praised the successful hosting of the fourth edition of the premier T20 competition in the land.

Not only was the competition a great advert for SA cricket, the timing of the tournament served as excellent preparation for the T20 World Cup, which starts less than two weeks afterwards.

There, South African players also dominated the stats, with the top three  run-scorers (Quinton de Kock, Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickelton) hailing from Mzansi and also the top two bowlers (Ottneil Baartman, Anrich Nortje).

Looking at the fourth edition of the SA20, the former Proteas skipper was predictably proud.

SA20’s Evolution: Overcoming Schedule Conflicts and Building Meaningful Cricket in South Africa

“I think the standard of cricket and the equally competitive nature of all teams were important,” Smith said.

“I certainly felt like when we called up the regulations and forced a big auction, we knew it was time. We thought it was important. 

“Franchises had learned for three years, and the marketplace in South Africa had shifted from before we even started. The players were in different places and had been performing differently.”

Not too long ago, the SA20 came under fire for clashing with the Proteas Test schedule at the beginning of 2024, as the top SA players were contracted to their franchises, and therefore CSA had to send a weakened team to New Zealand for a two-Test series.

The situation has changed since then, and there is no longer a conflict in the calendar.

“But just seeing the intensity of the players and how much it means to them, I think those things show you that we’re building something that is really meaningful in South African cricket.”

@Michael_Sherman

IOL Sport