JOHANNESBURG, Sept 29 (https://ewn.co.za/2020/09/28): Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that the 2020 edition of the Mzansi Super League (MSL) has been postponed to November and December 2021.
CSA's acting CEO, KugandrieGovender, said the decision to postpone South Africa's premier T20 tournament was due to various national and international logistical reasons caused by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"As the ICC Men's T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in India in October to November 2021, we understand the importance of providing domestic cricketers the opportunity to impress for selection.
"Therefore, in lieu of the MSL, CSA will stage a single-round domestic franchise T20 competition early next year. This will give players ample time to prepare and stadiums the chance to recover financially by welcoming fans back to support their favourite domestic players," said Govender.
In recognition of its importance, CSA will schedule this competition in the second half of the 2020/21 season.
"The 2020/21 global cricket calendar will be jam-packed, appreciating the ICC's efforts to fit as many missed international tours due to Covid-19, into this period. The impact of revised calendars for international cricket across all ICC Members and other T20 leagues, have had a knock-on effect on South African cricket scheduling.
"The Covid-19 restrictions and uncertainty around international travel, including the state of control of South African borders, as well as border control at the country points of departure of international players, also compelled CSA to make this rational decision. Also, the unavailability of national players due to a revised and saturated season, would have diluted the quality that CSA envisions for MSL," continued Govender.
Coupled with these considerations, CSA also deliberated that its international broadcast revenue or earnings could decrease should the MSL tournament continue without the international and national cricket superstars that local and international fans have come to expect, especially following the first two successful editions in 2018 and 2019.
The MSL teams and headline sponsor, while equally disappointed, have expressed their understanding to CSA and reaffirmed their commitment to the MSL T20 tournament when it resumes in 2021.
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