Cricket South Africa have postponed the third edition of the Mzansi Super League to next year
The MSL will be played in November and December in 2021, instead of the same months this year.
“As the T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in India in October to November 2021, we understand the importance of providing domestic cricketers the opportunity to impress for selection,” said CSA acting chief executive officer Kugandrie Govender.
“Therefore, in lieu of the MSL, CSA will stage a single-round domestic franchise T20 competition early next year.
“This will give players ample time to prepare and stadiums the chance to recover financially by welcoming fans back to support their favourite domestic players.
“The 2020-21 global cricket calendar will be jampacked, appreciating the International Cricket Council’s efforts to fit as many missed international tours due to the coronavirus pandemic, into this period.
“The impact of revised calendars for international cricket across all ICC members and other T20 leagues have had a knock-on effect on South African cricket scheduling.
“The Covid-19 restrictions and uncertainty around international travel, including the state of control of South African borders, as well as border control at the country points of departure of international players, also compelled CSA to make this rational decision.
“Also, the unavailability of national players due to a revised and saturated season, would have diluted the quality that CSA envisions for MSL.”
The Paarl Rocks are the reigning MSL champions. They beat the Tshwane Spartans in the 2019 final. The Jozi Stars won the inaugural MSL in 2018, after beating the Cape Town Blitz in the final.
More from Govender and CSA
“It is unfortunate but unavoidable that we have had to take this decision, but maintaining the high quality of cricket that we have seen in the first two editions of the MSL is a non-negotiable for CSA,” added Govender.
“The fact that we would have to play in empty grounds was another consideration, not only financially but also for player morale and team spirit, which links to fan support.
“The atmosphere and encouragement our fans have brought to first two editions have been significant and contributed incredibly to the MSL’s success.
“We would not want to lose out on that or the opportunity to position the league as an important way to attract new fans to the game. We look forward to returning to business as usual next season.”
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