Early start to franchise season in South Africa

Cricket South Africa on Tuesday announced the domestic franchise fixture list for the 2009/10 season in what promises to be a jam-packed summer of high quality activity.

There have been no changes to the formats of any of the three competitions - the four-day SuperSport Series, the 50 overs MTN Domestic Championship and the Standard Bank Domestic Pro20 - but what has changed is that the domestic professional season will start in September.

This has been done to accommodate two SuperSport Series fixtures each for the Nashua Cape Cobras and the Diamond Eagles who will be out of the country for much of October as CSA's representatives in the Champions' League tournament in India.

The domestic franchise competitions remain the most important feeder for the Proteas and this was reflected by the manner in which last season's new caps - Imraan Khan, Wayne Parnell, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Roelof van der Merwe - raised their games to the international level.

This was affirmed by CSA CEO Gerald Majola. Gerald Majola, CSA CEO, said: "One of the main reasons why the Proteas had their best ever season in 2008/09 was the success of the strength-vs-strength format of CSA's franchise system for domestic professional cricket," he commented.

"The standard is high and these players have been continuously knocking hard at the Proteas' door.

"This healthy competition has spurred on the Proteas to unprecedented heights. This system, together with CSA's High Performance Programme, has meant that many young players have successfully made the transition from domestic professional cricket into the international arena.

"CSA is confident that this pattern will continue into the 2009/10 season, enabling the Proteas to keep up their high standards and win most of their matches around the cricketing world.

"The franchise system is also a great opportunity for young players to become world stars by playing in the international leagues for domestic professional teams that reach the top of their own limited over logs.

"This all adds up to a great new franchise season for the public to enjoy," Majola concluded.

Brian Basson, CSA General Manager: Cricket Operations, commented: "The scheduling of the domestic fixtures has produced some significant challenges.

"These challenges have arisen from the extensive combination of ICC, International and other cricket events for the forthcoming season, together with a robust and highly successful domestic format comprising the SuperSport Series, MTN Domestic Championship and the Standard Bank Pro20 Series.

"The hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy followed closely thereafter by the inauguration of the Champions League has dictated an earlier than normal start to the commencement of the domestic season.

"The schedule has been formulated on maximization of broadcast opportunities for the viewers, whilst simultaneously providing appropriate preparation for the Proteas' for the forthcoming home Series against England, and the away One-Day International Series in India.

"The configuration of the schedule also makes provision for members of the Proteas' squad to participate in the semi-finals and finals of the MTN Domestic Championship and Standard Bank Pro20 Competitions.

"All in all, this season brings with it demanding challenges and opportunities for the players, and non-stop entertainment for the cricket enthusiasts," Basson concluded.