The much-awaited SA20 league – South Africa’s inaugural T20 tournament – is all set to begin today, with MI Cape Town taking on Paarl Royals in the opening match at the iconic Newlands cricket stadium.
A total of 33 matches will be played from January 10 to February 11 in six venues. Apart from MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals, four other global franchises participating in the 20-over showpiece event are Durban Super Giants, Joburg Super Kings, Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Pretoria Capitals.
Before the 20-over competition starts, the SA20 announced exciting additions to its playing format. To endorse the innovation in the game, each captain can nominate 13 players to take the field ahead of toss. Further, after the toss, the captain will have the right to pick a final XI, while the remaining two players will become the substitute players.
Teams will also be encouraged to exhibit their ‘A Game’ as according to the new rules, the winning team will be awarded four points and a bonus-point as well, subject to a team who achieves a run rate of 1.25 times that of the opposition. In case of no result, both teams will be awarded two points.
In case of an intentional attempt to run out the batter, there will be no extra runs if a direct hit deflects off the stumps. Additionally, a bowled dismissal can’t lead to byes if the ball ricochets off the stumps on a free hit.
Moreover, if teams finish on equal points, the right to progress through to the final and in the play-off will be determined as follows:
- the team with the most number of wins;
- If still equal, the team with the highest number of bonus points;
- If still equal, the team with the highest net run rate;
- If still equal, the team with the most number of wins over the other team(s) who are equal on points and have the same number of wins;
- If still equal, the team with the highest runs-to-wickets ratio throughout the tournament;
- If still equal, the team with the highest wickets to runs ratio throughout the tournament.
