CSA announces Franchises’ fixture list

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Monday released the domestic fixture list for the 2011-12 season for all three professional franchise competitions.



The season starts with the four-day SuperSport Series towards the end of September. This competition takes a break in early November for the start of the One-Day Domestic Series, the final of which takes place in early December. The SuperSport Series continues through the second half of December and part of January before the start of the T20 Domestic Series.



The title sponsors for both the domestic limited overs series will be announced next month.



“As far as possible we have tried to align the different competitions to coincide with the formats the Proteas will be playing at the different times of the season,” commented CSA CEO Gerald Majola. “This is also the reason why we have reverted to a 50 overs format for the One-Day Domestic Series. We will be following exactly the same conditions of play that apply for ODIs including the latest changes that come into effect from the beginning of October.



“These include taking the batting and bowling power plays between the 15th and 40th overs and using two new balls instead of changing the ball after 34 overs.



“I believe our domestic competitions compare favourably with the standard of domestic cricket to be found anywhere else in the world and this is borne out by the performances of our franchises at the Nokia Champions’ League as well as the successful manner in which the likes of David Miller, Rusty Theron, Colin Ingram, Imran Tahir and Faf du Plessis have moved up to playing for the Proteas.



“I am sure we all look forward to the next group of players following the same path. The recent results of South Africa A, the Emerging Squad and South Africa under-19 have been highly encouraging in this regard.”