SA20 has the pulling power

Later this week an under-strength Proteas Test team will board the plane to New Zealand for a two-match series, the bulk of the first-choice players staying home to play in the second edition of the SA20 competition.

Plenty has been said and written about the decision – and everyone will have their own opinions – but from what we have seen in the first few days of the SA20 2024 version, T20 cricket is without a doubt a huge crowd puller and pleaser and it’s fully understandable why Cricket South Africa opted to go this route.

Test coach Shukri Conrad himself, while frustrated he will not have his strongest team in New Zealand, conceded after the drawn series with India recently that the SA20 is now the lifeblood of SA cricket.

Whether we like it or not, it is a fact and the reality. A high-quality T20 competition, with the best local players and a smattering of world-class international stars, is the money-spinner in cricket now, and everyone needs a bit of money in the bank to stay afloat, relevant and competitive.

While many, including myself, love Test cricket and rate it the best format in the game, T20 cricket is quick and exciting, and it brings women and children into the grounds.

There will always be a place for the Test game, but as we can now see in this second edition of the SA20, it is now the most popular format in the game. There’s just no denying it.

The organisers of the SA20 must be a relieved and happy bunch, because so far the action on the field has been great and the crowds have been good.

Heck, SuperSport Park was sold out on Sunday and what a sight that was to see!

Well done to those fans for showing their support for the game and the Pretoria Capitals.

Paarl has also had excellent crowds, and I’m sure Durban, Cape Town and Joburg will also pack them in soon.

Of course, the catch R2-million campaign also helps bigtime to add to the atmosphere and provides a nice incentive.

The SA20 is a rollicking, roaring success, and of course much-needed to keep SA cricket on the map. Here’s to an exciting competition.