Smith cagey on top-division contenders
CSA cricket director admits new qualifications ‘complicated’ process
The bidding process for franchises of the new Cricket SA (CSA) two-tier 15-team domestic playing structure for next season is under way.
CSA announced earlier this year that it had dismantled the six-team first-class system and the new structure will see eight teams in division one and seven in division two, with automatic promotion and relegation to be implemented.
Director of cricket Graeme Smith confirmed the bidding process and said he was hopeful all the processes for the new playing structure would be completed in time to be implemented in the new season.
“I hope I am not going to talk out of turn but I have played a role in that,” he said.
“There are obviously other team members running with some of the details of how that looks, but the bidding process for those teams is currently under way.
“There will be a rollout over the next few months for the bidding process‚ contracting and the set-up.
“If we meet all of our operational targets, I don’t see why we won’t have a new domestic playing structure next season.”
It is understood the six established franchisees — the Lions‚ Titans‚ Cobras‚ Dolphins‚ Warriors and Knights — are expected to play in the top division in one form or the other‚ leaving two more division one spots up for grabs.
Smith lacked details but admitted the process was stressful for CSA as not all the unions will be content to start the new playing structure in division two, leaving them to scramble their way up to division one through a promotion and relegation process.
“CSA has defined the criteria up-front and that is why there is a bidding process and all the franchises will have to meet those criteria,” Smith said. “CSA had done it successfully before in the MSL [Mzansi Super League].
“I’m sure there will be some disappointments at the end of this process for certain unions.
“I think everyone wants to be in the top eight to start with, but I know the criteria and the team has worked extremely hard in terms of being thorough on what is required from a topflight franchise.
“I think that process is a stressful one for CSA and one we want to get right and are taking very seriously.”
CSA said the 8-7 split would be determined by a bid process in which each union will be evaluated based on its performance‚ both current and historic‚ as well as the union’s strategic plan for running and sustaining a professional team.
The calendar for division one will be similar to the current system, where the eight teams will play four-day‚ one-day and T20 cricket all in a single round.
The same eight will also compete in a domestic T20 knockout tournament with the seven teams from division two‚ whose season will comprise four-day and one-day competitions.
Asked how the automatic promotion and relegation would work given there are three formats and if the new teams would contract the same number of players‚ Smith said: “I’m not going to get into that today because it is a complicated thing.
“It has been defined, but I think the best thing to do is for CSA to get it right.
“We have worked closely with the SA Cricketers’ Association as well on the contracting structure, the monies and the details around the whole thing.”