South Africa to bear main overhaul in home construction, to introduce two-division league system

Image Source : TWITTER/CRICKET SOUTH AFRICA Cricket South Africa
South African home cricket is about to bear a significant overhaul with the introduction of a two-division league construction that can see 9 extra groups being added to the present six within the franchise system.
This follows a choice by the Members’ Council of Cricket South Africa to just accept the suggestions of the David Richardson Task Team to restructure the home recreation.
According to CSA, the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) has been consulted relating to the method, which began in February 2020.
“The decision to just accept and approve Richardson Committee’s suggestion to restructure the home competitors is the fruits of a course of over a few years. It heralds a brand new period for CSA and its associates,” stated Acting CSA Members’ Council President Rihan Richards.
“The help that the decision obtained signifies the buy-in from all of the stakeholders and a dedication to strengthening South African cricket. We actually hope that the system will enhance not solely entry and alternative in any respect ranges however will contribute to a sustainable CSA and the sport,” Richards added.
The resolution comes at a time when CSA is embattled each financially as a result of followers not being allowed at cricket matches as a result of COVID-19 pandemic and from an administrative viewpoint, as nearly all board members and senior officers both left or have been dismissed up to now yr.

Sponsors have additionally withdrawn amid an deadlock with authorities which led to the Sports Minister intervening to resolve the disaster, with an interim board now in place.
Under the brand new construction, the present six-team franchise cricket make-up shall be dissolved and changed by a 15-team first-class system, though CSA has not but specified a date for the change.
The format will see the groups break up 8-7 right into a Division 1 and Division 2 association with automated promotion and relegation to be applied.
“This automatic promotion and relegation system aims to provide healthy tension in the system which will enhance a high performance environment, while providing opportunity for those Division 2 Members, who want to be part of a competitive first division,” the CSA stated.
“The 8-7 divisional split will be determined by a ‘bid process’ in which each member will be evaluated based on its performance, both current and historical, against defined evaluation criteria, as well as its Strategic Plan for running and sustaining a professional team …,” CSA stated.
This will embody an improved contract system, a rise within the quantity and high quality of alternatives in addition to an enchancment of management expertise inside CSA’s teaching constructions.
The proposed competitors construction will supply extra alternatives to gamers on the highest first-class home degree, primarily widening the expertise pool for the nationwide selectors, the CSA stated.