A brave new era for South African cricket
THE longer versions of the game of cricket, it seems, is fodder only for the purists. That romanticism means nothing to the fickle T20 support base that is already bleating with excitement ahead of the coming Mzansi Super League, South Africa’s very own version of the Indian Premier League, that takes flight on Friday.
Four-day franchise cricket in this country is clearly the black sheep of the family.
The domestic season got under way recently and, predictably, has once again failed to capture the publics attention.
Free entrance to matches has only enticed a few die-hards who can be counted on one’s fingertips on match days.
It’s a pity, really, because while the local KwaZulu-Natal franchise side – the Hollywoodbets Dolphins – are more likened to a misfiring old bakkie than their former table-topping selves, the Cape Cobras and Highveld Lions have played some solid red-ball cricket.
Then there is the current Bangladesh and Zimbabwe Test series to soak up. Hamilton Masakadza’s team beat the Tigers in Sylhet last week, for their first victory away from home since 2001. A remarkable feat for the whipping boys of Test cricket, but that will only resonate with those who appreciate the old traditions of the game.
For the rest, the Manzsi Super League, which will play out over the next few weeks, is what will catch their attention.
Local fans have the aptly-named Durban Heat to get behind – they play their first game against the Cape Town Blitz at Kingsmead this Sunday.
It is a team bursting at the seams with talent, with Durban’s very own Hashim Amla as one of the more experienced hands in the side.
It feels like the old Kingsmead band is back together again with former Dolphins star Kyle Abbott set to join Keshav Maharaj and David Miller. Throw into the pot Afghanistan spin wizard Rashid Kahn, the current top-ranked international T20 bowler, and you have a squad capable of going all the way in the inaugural edition of the competition.
Impatience, I believe, has been the death of the longer formats. Fans want entertainment, and they want it every time a ball is delivered.
I am with Michael Holding on this one. “A strong future for Test cricket? I don’t think so,” said the former West Indies bowler, and now respected commentator, last year.
“Money is all that matters to the administrators. The game doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t get rid of Twenty20, but I would limit it to domestic cricket. The trouble is it’s difficult to change now because it’s like a weed run wild,” he added.
The format is here to stay and that is the bottom line. Those are my sentiments, in my best Caribbean accent.
Eden Gardens or Kingsmead, shall I say, has enjoyed huge support from Durban-born Indian cricket fans, who are often found waving flags in support of the national team wearing blue.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) is hoping those very supporters would come out and get behind their latest offering.
After the Global League failed to launch last year, CSA cannot afford any further embarrassments.
The stage has been set, and there is little doubt that the six star-laden teams will put on a show.
Naicker is an award-winning eNCA sports journalist