CSA launch 2017/18 Africa T20 Cup

Cricket South Africa (CSA) have launched the third edition of the Africa T20 Cup competition that will see Eastern Province start their title defence in a tough Pool that also includes North West, Northerns and Gauteng.
The draw was made on April 11th resulting in the following line-ups:
Pool A (to be played at Willowmoore Park, 25-27 August): Easterns, WP, SWD, Namibia
Pool B (to be played at Senwes Park, 1-3 September): North West, Northerns, Gauteng, EP
Pool C (to be played at Mangaung Oval, 9-11 September): Free State, KZN Inland, Zimbabwe, Boland
Pool D (to be played at Diamond Oval, 15-17 September): Northern Cape, KZN, Kenya, Border
The format is the same as in the previous two editions with the 12 CSA provincial associates being joined by KwaZulu-Natal Inland and three African nations – Zimbabwe, Namibia and Kenya.
This year sees the tournament return to the inland stadia with Willowmoore Park (Easterns), Senwes Park (North West), Mangaung Oval (Free State) and Diamond Oval (Northern Cape) being the host venues.
One change sees the Diamond Oval being pre-allocated the semi-finals and final weekend as the other three venues will be busy preparing to host international matches during the Bangladesh tour that starts in October.
“The Africa Cup is finding a coveted place in our domestic season and once again it will launch the 2017/18 season,” commented CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat, “and if past experiences are anything to go by we can again look forward to highly entertaining and competitive cricket.
“We wanted this competition to bridge the gap between senior provincial and franchise cricket and to aid the development of cricket on the African continent. I believe we are achieving both aims.
“This tournament has become an important part of our development pipeline. Heinrich Klaasen, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi and Andile Phehlukwayo all played in the inaugural Africa T20 Cup in 2015 and have gone on to represent the Standard Bank Proteas this past season.
“I would like to thank Zimbabwe, Namibia and Kenya for once again accepting our invitations to participate in this tournament,” concluded Mr. Lorgat.
The Semi-finals and Final for pool winners will be played at the Diamond Oval on the weekend of 24-25 September 2017.
Latest
-
News
Ali Orr helps Sussex to five-wicket win over Derbyshire
The 21-year-old opener was helped by partners Tom Alsop and Mohammad Rizwan.
-
England
Issy Wong living the dream as late wickets boost England against South Africa
The 20-year-old fast bowler made an impact on a rain-affected day three at Taunton.
-
England
England frustrated by the weather on third day of South Africa Test
South Africa were 51 for three at the close of play.
-
England
Issy Wong’s late double keeps England in control at Taunton
.England were rewarded for their patience during a lengthy rain delay.
-
England
James Anderson: England’s new-found confidence unlike anything I’ve seen before
Anderson first played for his country in 2002 and has lived through more than his fair share of new eras, reboots and fresh starts.
-
England
England paceman James Anderson keen to prove fitness ahead of India Test
The 39-year-old sat out the final match against New Zealand at Headingley due to concerns over his left ankle but says it now feels “pretty good”.
-
England
Andrew Gale ‘not willing to engage’ in ‘tainted’ ECB racism disciplinary process
Gale denied Azeem Rafiq’s allegations against him and described him as an “embittered former colleague”.
-
England
Michael Vaughan ‘steps back’ from BBC work after staff raise concerns
The former England captain had recently returned to Test Match Special coverage.
-
England
Simon Harmer bowls Essex to thrilling win while Surrey dominate Kent
Spinner Harmer took 15 wickets in the match as his side held off Hampshire by 12 runs.
-
England
Sciver stars and Davidson-Richards makes history – day two in the women’s Test
The England pair’s maiden Test centuries took their side past South Africa’s total at Taunton.