The Western Province Cricket Association premier league will likely be increased to 12 teams for the 2017-18 season.
The WPCA local leagues committee has recommended Brackenfell Cricket Club – who are currently part of the Boland Cricket Board – be added to the Cape Town-based premier league, in a bid to comply with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee’s geo-political boundaries.
The recommendations’ transformation objectives, largely governed by Cricket South Africa, too, have urged that a so-called ‘black African’ club join Brackenfell Cricket Club – and the 10 others – in the premier league.
The proposal has also suggested Kraaifontein Cricket Club – who are also currently part of the Boland Cricket Board – and a ‘black African’ club be added to the first division A. The first division A, like the premier league, currently houses 10 teams.
According to the recommendations, the ‘black African’ clubs will not be relegated, regardless of their log position in the premier league or first division A.
“The two black African clubs for the premier league and first division A have not yet been named. So far, we have identified Gugulethu Cricket Club, Khayelitsha Cricket Club and Langa Cricket Club to be the clubs meeting the criteria to play in the premier league or first division A,” WPCA club and facilities coordinator Thulani Zideba told Club Cricket SA.
“All three clubs will be requested to present, to the WPCA, why they must be given premier league or first division A status.”
The proposal, too, has endorsed the reduction of the first divisions B, C and D – and reserve divisions A and B – to one-day cricket, in order to oblige the City of Cape Town’s formal request for less playing days and frequent use of fields amid the ongoing drought. The premier league and first division A will continue to play two-day cricket.
Reserve divisions A and B should gain Brackenfell Cricket Club’s second team and Kraaifontein Cricket Club’s second team, respectively – and a ‘black African’ club each – to increase from 10 to 12 teams, too, according to the proposal. The ‘black African’ clubs in these divisions will also not be relegated, regardless of their log position, states the proposal.
“The two ‘black African’ clubs that do receive premier league or first division A status will have their second teams given reserve A and/or B division status, too,” added Zideba.