Cricket South Africa’s brave new world a cause for optimism and concern

Cricket South Africa’s brave new world a cause for optimism and concern
Short Url
Updated 11 January 2024
Follow

Cricket South Africa’s brave new world a cause for optimism and concern

Cricket South Africa’s brave new world a cause for optimism and concern
  • After several failed attempts to establish a T20 league, SA20 is seen as a silver bullet for the country’s cricket issues, but Test cricket looks set to suffer

In cricket’s brave new world, the Betway T20 franchise league in South Africa is leaving some observers gasping for air.

This is because of what appears to be a brazen attitude to ensure that it succeeds at all costs. There is context to explain this. Previous attempts to introduce a T20 competition foundered. A T20 Global League was established by Cricket South Africa in 2017, but it lacked both a broadcast deal and a title sponsor, so was deferred. In its place a Mzansi Super League emerged in 2018. Matches were played between six CSA-owned teams in November and December. A second edition was played in 2019 but the 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled, ostensibly because of COVID-19.

However, another factor played its part. SuperSport is CSA’s domestic broadcast partner and its support for a T20 league is vital. This could not be agreed in 2017. CSA argued that the tournament represented new business outside the existing agreement. SuperSport disagreed and an alternative broadcaster could not be found.

When the Mzansi league was being developed, CSA and SuperSport failed to reach agreement on equity shares, leaving a broadcasting vacuum. This gap was filled by the South African Broadcasting Corporation on free-to-air, but for little money. Without private investment, the league was economically unsustainable, costing around $5.5 million to operate per edition.

Armed with these salutary lessons, CSA established SA20 in 2022 through the corporate medium of Africa Cricket Development (Pty) Ltd. Fifty percent is owned by CSA, SuperSport has 30 percent, with the balance held by a former Indian Premier League chief operating officer. The Indian connection was further cemented by the purchase of all six teams by IPL franchisees. It is not surprising, therefore, that a deal was struck by CSA to broadcast SA20 in India. This was announced in November 2022 and is with Viacom18, a joint venture between Network 18, backed by Reliance Industry Ltd., James Murdoch-Uday Shankar’s Bodhi Tree Systems and Viacom CBS. What is impressive is its 10-year duration, understood to be worth close to $10 million per year, or around $300,000 per match. So CSA went from bust to boom in six years.

The deal ensured that SA20 generated a profit in its first year compared with previous forecasts of breakeven after four to five years. This all comes at a price.

Match schedules need to fit with Indian prime time. More critically, South African cricket has been subjugated to SA20. Centrally contracted players must prioritize playing in SA20 over representing South Africa. As early as July 2022, CSA decided that an ODI series against Australia, scheduled for January 2023, would be cancelled as it clashed with SA20 dates. Even more controversially, CSA has selected an understrength squad for a two-match Test series in February in New Zealand. As reported last week, condemnation from former players abounded, amongst fears that Test cricket’s already uncertain future is being further undermined.

These fears were exacerbated by the events at Newlands, Cape Town, in the second Test match between South Africa and India, commencing on Jan. 3 and ending on Jan. 4. Records, most of them unwanted, were broken. It was the shortest-ever Test match — 107 overs and 642 balls where a winner was determined. There was a fall of the most wickets (six) without a run being scored. Dean Elgar was dismissed twice on the same day in his final Test. This had not happened since 1890. Another South African, Aiden Markram, scored 60.22 percent of his side’s second innings score, beating a previous high of 59.89 percent.

The pitch was deemed “unsatisfactory” by the match referee. Newlands is one of the world’s most iconic cricket grounds. Its infrastructure has undergone substantial redevelopment that, reportedly, requires annual debt servicing in excess of $1 million. The Western Province Cricket Association, which owns Newlands, is in serious financial difficulties. At the end of October 2023, CSA officials met with WPCA representatives to offer financial injections amounting to almost $1.4 million.

One consequence of this WPCA financial position was a decision to outsource pitch and ground curation. Whilst not doubting the caliber of the curators, Newlands is not their only place of work. It is understood that the Test match pitch was used in SA20, 2023, when Newlands received complaints for slow pitches. After the recent Test ended, curators were at work on neighboring pitches in preparation for SA20 matches. The pitch for the first Test at Gauteng was not a good one either but escaped censure.

Over the last decade or so, South African cricket has been riven by factions and allegations of financial irregularities, leading to dysfunctionality. SA20 is a silver bullet to address this. It is not far-fetched to suggest that, without it, the system would have collapsed.

Apologists will argue that the competition will inject funds into South African cricket, helping the game grow. There were sold-out stadiums in 2023. The league’s commissioner, a highly successful former captain, claims that the tournament has revived the spirit of cricket in South Africa. There is hope that it will have the same impact in developing young players that the IPL has had in India. Franchise owners are expected to invest in academies and development hubs.

The CSA is intent on giving the tournament the best possible chance to succeed, based on the mandated availability of the best South Africans, to the obvious detriment of the Test team.

Faced with disaster, it unashamedly adopted a modern mechanism, franchise cricket, as its centerfold. Maybe it hopes that the funding can be used to facilitate a revival in first-class cricket.

Critics will say that being in thrall to Indian franchisees, devaluing Test cricket, having a title sponsor in Betway, recruiting a low proportion of non-white South Africans in the squads, means that CSA, via SA20, has surrendered to cricket’s new direction of travel. This glitzy, consumer-focused world does not respect tradition, least of all South Africa’s heritage as the third-longest Test-playing nation.


Ajaz stars as New Zealand beat India 3-0 in historic Test sweep

Ajaz stars as New Zealand beat India 3-0 in historic Test sweep
Updated 03 November 2024
Follow

Ajaz stars as New Zealand beat India 3-0 in historic Test sweep

Ajaz stars as New Zealand beat India 3-0 in historic Test sweep
  • Spinner Ajaz Patel takes six wickets as New Zealand beat India by 25 runs 
  • It is the first time India has been swept in Test series at home since 1999-2000 

MUMBAI: New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel took six wickets as his side sealed a historic 3-0 Test sweep in India with a thrilling 25-run win in the third Test on Sunday.
Chasing 147 for victory, India were bowled out for 121 in 29.1 overs on day three, after Rishabh Pant hit a valiant 64 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
Ajaz roared in delight as he bowled Washington Sundar to take the final wicket and the Black Caps celebrated a first Test series win on Indian soil in style.
It was the first time India had been swept in a Test series at home since South Africa’s 2-0 win in 1999-2000 and the first time they were beaten 3-0 at home.
“This will be a very low point in my career, having lost three games at home,” India skipper Rohit Sharma told reporters.
“I fully take responsibility for that. As a leader, I have not been at the best of my abilities right from the start of the series.
“With the bat as well, I have not been good enough.”
New Zealand did the unthinkable under new captain Tom Latham, and in the absence of senior batsman Kane Williamson, who was recovering from a groin injury back home.
The Black Caps turned around their fortunes from a 2-0 whitewash in Sri Lanka, and made India suffer their first Test series loss at home in 12 years.
“Very ecstatic,” said Latham. “Looking back at the start of the series, to now be in this position, the boys have done a fantastic job over the last three Test matches.”
Mumbai-born New Zealander Ajaz ended with a match-haul of 11 wickets at a venue where he created history by claiming all 10 wickets in a Test innings in 2021.
In a tricky chase on a turning pitch, New Zealand reduced India to 29-5, before the left-hander Pant made counter-attacked with his half-century.
Ajaz, after lunch, had Pant caught by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, a decision denied by the on-field umpire but successfully reviewed by New Zealand. An unconvinced Pant trudged back.
“If we say something, it will not go down well. If the decision is not conclusive then the decision has to stand with what the on-field umpire calls,” said Rohit.
“I don’t know how that decision was overturned.”
Glenn Phillips then got two in two balls and Ajaz wrapped up the innings to be named player of the match.
India bowled out New Zealand quickly for 174 in the first session, with Ravindra Jadeja taking five wickets on a turning wicket for 10 in the match.
But the New Zealand bowlers led by Ajaz ripped into India’s top order.
Fast bowler Matt Henry dismissed Rohit Sharma in the third over, getting the captain to mis-hit to Phillips at midwicket for 11.
He extended his poor run with the bat in the series with scores of 2, 52, 0, 8 and 18 in his previous five innings.
Ajaz bowled Shubman Gill and then had Virat Kohli, on one, caught by Daryl Mitchell at slip to silence the home crowd.
Kohli has also struggled in the series, with just one half-century and four single-digit scores in the series.
Pant put on 42 runs for the sixth wicket to revive the chase, but Ajaz struck again to remove Jadeja for six.
Will Young’s 71 and 51 in the two New Zealand innings proved key and he was named player of the series for amassing 244 runs.


Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan take titles at WWE Riyadh Season event

Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan take titles at WWE Riyadh Season event
Updated 03 November 2024
Follow

Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan take titles at WWE Riyadh Season event

Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan take titles at WWE Riyadh Season event
  • The night was not short on surprises, as the match between Randy Orton and Kevin Owens ended with no result because of unexpected interference

RIYADH: In an extraordinary night at Mohammed Abdu Arena as part of Riyadh Season’s WWE events, “Crown Jewel 2024” delivered a memorable evening of intense matches that wrestling fans will not soon forget.

The General Entertainment Authority CEO, Faisal Bafarat, awarded Cody Rhodes the “Crown Jewel 2024” men’s title and Liv Morgan the women’s title, with both receiving a new championship belt adorned with 50 carats of diamonds as the first champions in Crown Jewel history.

The event kicked off with an explosive opening match in which “The Bloodline,” led by Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga (accompanied by Tanga Loa), achieved a historic victory over Roman Reigns and “The Usos” (Jey and Jimmy Uso) in a six-man tag team match.

In the WWE women’s tag team championship match, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill defended their titles successfully against fierce competition from teams including “Damage Control,” “The Meta-4,” and Chelsea Green with Piper Niven. Seth “Freakin” Rollins also delivered an outstanding performance, defeating “Big” Bronson Reed.

In the women’s showdown, Liv Morgan, the reigning RAW women’s champion, claimed the title of “Crown Jewel Women’s Champion” after defeating SmackDown women’s champion Nia Jax in a grueling battle.

The night was not short on surprises, as the match between Randy Orton and Kevin Owens ended with no result because of unexpected interference, heightening the evening’s excitement.

In a triple-threat match for the United States Championship, LA Knight retained his title after an intense victory over Andrade and Carmelo Hayes.

The night culminated in a grand finale as Cody Rhodes, the undisputed WWE champion, defeated heavyweight champion Gunther, emerging as the Crown Jewel Champion to thunderous cheers from the crowd.

 


Pakistan pick pace-dominated XI to rattle Australia in first ODI 

Pakistan pick pace-dominated XI to rattle Australia in first ODI 
Updated 03 November 2024
Follow

Pakistan pick pace-dominated XI to rattle Australia in first ODI 

Pakistan pick pace-dominated XI to rattle Australia in first ODI 
  • Pakistan head into Melbourne ODI with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain and Haris Rauf in playing XI
  • Green shirts will play three ODIs against Australia on Nov. 4, 8 and 10 at Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, respectively

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will head into the first ODI against Australia on Monday with fiery fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain featuring in the playing XI squad, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said. 

Pakistan’s new white-ball skipper Mohammad Rizwan will lead his side for the first time since assuming captaincy this month at Melbourne against Australia on Monday. 

The South Asian country is scheduled to play three ODIs on Nov. 4, 8 and 10 in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, respectively before taking on Australia in a three-match T20I series on Nov. 14, 16 and 18. 

“The men’s national selection committee has confirmed Pakistan’s playing XI for the first ODI against Australia,” the PCB said in a statement. 

Rauf and Hasnain have both had ample experience playing on Australian pitches for the Big Bash League (BBL). Both bowlers have the ability to bowl above 150 kmph and bamboozle batters through sheer pace. 

Australian pitches favor pace and bounce, serving as ideal hunting grounds for pacers from Australia, South Africa, Pakistan and the West Indies in the past. 

Afridi and Shah, Pakistan’s experienced pace bowlers, will return to the squad after they were dropped from the Test squad after England drubbed Pakistan in the first Test in Multan last month. 

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Kamran Ghulam have both been included in the squad while the green shirts will rely on openers Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub to deliver the goods with the bat against Australia. 

Playing XI:

Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain 
 


Jadeja takes five as India chase 147 to avoid series sweep

Jadeja takes five as India chase 147 to avoid series sweep
Updated 03 November 2024
Follow

Jadeja takes five as India chase 147 to avoid series sweep

Jadeja takes five as India chase 147 to avoid series sweep
  • New Zealand lead the three-match Test series in India by 2-0
  • India, the hosts, are looking to avoid embarrassing 3-0 whitewash

MUMBAI: Spinner Ravindra Jadeja claimed five wickets as India bowled out New Zealand for 174 on Sunday, leaving the hosts needing a tricky 147 to win the third Test.

New Zealand, who lead the three-match series 2-0, resumed on 171-9, losing Ajaz Patel for eight off Jadeja after seven minutes of play on day three at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.

The left-handed Ajaz was caught at deep mid-wicket off a slog sweep as left-arm spinner Jadeja ended with a match haul of 10 wickets. He also claimed five in New Zealand’s first innings.

Fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took three wickets.

The hosts are seeking to avoid being swept 3-0 after New Zealand won the first two Tests to register their first Test series triumph in India.

Will Young top-scored with 51 on Saturday on a track that has turned sharply since day one.

Shubman Gill hit 90 in India’s 263 which gave them a slender 28-run first-innings lead in response to New Zealand’s 235.


Sabalenka kick offs WTA Finals campaign with win over Olympic champ Qinwen

Sabalenka kick offs WTA Finals campaign with win over Olympic champ Qinwen
Updated 02 November 2024
Follow

Sabalenka kick offs WTA Finals campaign with win over Olympic champ Qinwen

Sabalenka kick offs WTA Finals campaign with win over Olympic champ Qinwen
  • Sabalenka is eyeing a maiden trophy at the prestigious season finale in Riyadh after finishing second two years ago

RIYADH: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka commenced her WTA Finals campaign in Riyadh on Saturday with her fifth victory in as many meetings with the current Olympic champion, China’s Zheng Qinwen, posting a 6-3, 6-4 result.

Facing off for the fifth time in the last 14 months, Sabalenka and Zheng opened the action at the first-ever professional women’s tennis tournament in Saudi Arabia in front of a near capacity crowd at King Saud University Indoor Arena.

The Belarusian top seed needed just one hour and 24 minutes to defeat Zheng, dropping a mere two points behind her first serve throughout the contest.

A runner-up at the WTA Finals in Fort Worth, Texas two years ago, Sabalenka is eyeing a maiden trophy at the prestigious season finale, which would also guarantee her the year-end top ranking.

“It’s going to mean everything for me, that’s one of my dreams and I really worked hard in the past years and I really hope that one day I’ll be able to hold this beautiful trophy,” said Sabalenka, 26, on court.

“Qinwen is such a great player and we always had great battles against each other. She’s playing really aggressive tennis. I’m super happy with the win, especially against such a tough opponent.

“I think I served really well today and I put her under so much pressure on her serve. So I think my serve helped me tonight.”

Saudi Tennis Federation President Arij Mutabagani, tournament director and former world No. 1 Garbine Muguruza, and the highest-ranked African and Arab player in history, Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, kicked-off proceedings by welcoming the crowd and the tennis tour to Riyadh in a pre-match opening ceremony.

Very little separated the players in the opening set as both dominated the points behind their first serves, Sabalenka winning 18/19 and Zheng winning 13/16.

But it was the second serve where Sabalenka found an edge, and after she saved a break point in the third game, the top seed broke for a 4-2 advantage and sealed a one-set lead in 39 minutes.

With Chinese supporters representing the majority of the crowd and rallying behind their Olympic hero, Zheng was near clinical through the first eight games of the second set.   

But Sabalenka upped the ante in game nine, converting her second break point opportunity to inch ahead and she closed out the win on her own serve minutes later.

In a bizarre incident, Sabalenka had to wait at the net for a short moment before Zheng realized she had actually lost the match.

Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, has now won her last seven consecutive matches against top-10 opposition.