Bay set for flurry of hard-hitting cricket
It will rain sixes at St George’s Park when the muchanticipated Mzansi Super League T20 tournament gets under way in November. After missing out last year when the much-maligned T20 Global League was scrapped just weeks before it was due to start, the short form of the game is back on the menu for fans. Cricket SA will now be hopeful the public will buy into its down-scaled version, and also that a group of the original and aggrieved T20 Global League owners will not go through with its threat to obtain an interdict to stop the tournament.
But for now, it is full steam ahead as Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg (Wanderers), Centurion (SuperSport Park), Durban (Kingsmead), Cape Town (Newlands) and Paarl (Boland Park) host the six new franchises.
It is vital, if Port Elizabeth wants to maintain its status as a top-tier venue, that cricket fans come out in their numbers to support Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, as the team has been named. Good support will also assist the Bay when cricket bosses allocate Test and limited overs internationals in the future.
Over the years, St George’s Park, with its brass band and vocal supporters, has provided the backdrop for many nailbiting cricket tussles. And with Imran Tahir as one the Giants’ two international marquee players, excitement is bound to reach fever pitch.
Each franchise will be able to sign an additional two nationally contracted players and a further three international stars for its squad of 16 players.
Hopefully, the imports will be of a standard that will enable the Bay team to challenge for honours.
Former Proteas and Delhi Daredevils coach Eric Simons was also hand-picked by the team management to finetune the side in its quest for glory in the inaugural event.
So, after much skepticism about its future, even the biggest cynics have to admit the tournament appears to be on track to start next month. The player draft will happen on Wednesday and once the Giants’ squad has taken shape and the fixtures have been released, it will be time for the St George’s Park band to strike up again.