The General Council of the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) on Tuesday took the final step to restructure domestic professional cricket.
The council endorsed the criteria for the six franchises that will comprise amalgamated provinces from the season of 2004/05. The criteria were submitted for ratification by Cricket South Africa.
Franchises to cover the whole of South Africa will be awarded by Cricket South Africa by January 31.
The six franchise regions are: Gauteng (2), Central SA (1), Western Cape (1), Eastern Cape (1) and KwaZulu-Natal (1).
UCBSA president Ray Mali said: ”The decision is watershed for South African cricket and will make our professional competitions stronger and more attractive.”
The franchise system is aimed at strength versus strength, making professional cricket sustainable and giving the public a better product.
In addition to the professional system, the UCBSA has expanded its number of amateur affiliates from 11 to 16. The new amateur affiliates are Limpopo, Mpumalanga, South Western Districts, Border/Kei and KwaZulu-Natal Inland.
”In this way we will also be broadening our base to cover all corners of South Africa and make cricket available to all those who want to play it,” said CEO Gerald Majola.
”We have now set in place professional and amateur structures that will make South African cricket a truly representative sport of winners.
”The cornerstone of the criteria for professional cricket will be the adherence of franchisees to the transformation policy of UCBSA.
”Our transformation targets will be applied to all aspects of the new professional system including playing and administration.” — Sapa