Faf urges CSA to kick-start league
‘T20 tourney will prepare SA youth’
Proteas captain Faf du Plessis says it is important for Cricket South Africa to get the Global League T20 tournament off the ground as it could provide a platform for players who may not get an opportunity to feature in other tournaments.
Du Plessis was speaking at CSA’s season launch at SuperSport Park in Centurion this week ahead of what will be a preparatory season for next year’s World Cup.
South Africa will host Zimbabwe‚ Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the 2018/19 home season and there is a gap in the South African domestic calendar for the tournament to take place.
Du Plessis said they have been informed of a meeting that will take place this weekend that will give them direction in regards with the tournament.
The tournament was postponed last year and CSA has had problems in getting the tournament back on track this year. “It’s really important for CSA to have the tournament because it’s important for the youth of this country to have a crack‚” Du Plessis said.
“If you look at the youngsters who’ve come through the Indian Premier League‚ they’re able to put out good teams because there’s a great domestic circuit where the young players are exposed to cricket with the best players from around the world.
“It’s important for us as a cricketing nation to grow with a tournament like that.
“I’ve been in the IPL for eight years and I can see the window closing on SA players. They’re looking at Australian and English players‚ which means we need a tournament like the Big Bash where the players can perform well to get recognition.
“I’m hoping‚ as CSA chief executive Thabang Moroe said‚ there’s going to be a big meeting happening this weekend from where we could get some answers that we’ll be looking for.”