The domestic limited overs season opens with a bang at the Wanderers on Wednesday when the Lions and the Cape Cobras meet in the first MTN40 match.
At least 10 current and former Proteas — including captain Graeme Smith — will be in action as the two teams try out the new format of the game.
The new format sees matches reduced from 45 overs to 40, and a number of other innovations have been introduced to speed up the game and to add to the excitement.
Rain delays will see an immediate reduction in overs instead of an extension to the hours of play.
There will be three power plays per innings, the first of which is compulsory during the first 10 overs of play.
The remaining two, which last five overs each, are to be taken at the behest of the batsman any time during the innings, except between the 36th and 40th overs.
Fielding restrictions for the two batting power plays will be slightly different, with one allowing three fielders outside the circle, and the other four fielders.
The batting side can nominate which they take first.
Possibly the most exciting innovation is a rolling substitution system, with all 12 members of the squad able to play during the match.
The captain can bring on a designated batsman, fielder or bowler when needed. The 12th man, who will be distinguished by an armband, will be allowed to bat and to bowl. This provides each team with an extra batting or bowling option.
There will also be a five-minute ”time-out” after the 20th over, which will enable the coaches to consult and advise their players on strategy and tactics for the remainder of the match.
Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie are two of the shrewdest captains in South Africa, and tactics can be expected to play an important role in Wednesday’s game.
The Cobras, who reached the semi-finals of the Twenty20 Champions League in India last week, losing to Trinidad and Tobago, will have a star-studded line-up, including Smith, Andrew Puttick, Herschelle Gibbs, JP Duminy, Justin Kemp and Robin Peterson, while the Lions will include players of the calibre of Neil McKenzie, last weekend’s treble-centurion Stephen Cook, Alviro Petersen, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Jonathan Vandiar and Thami Tsolekile.
One person who will not be playing for the Lions on Wednesday is England left-arm spin bowler Monty Panesar, who has a short-term contract with the Lions.
”Part of his contract was an agreement that he could go home to England for four days to meet the Queen,” said coach Dave Nosworthy.
”So he won’t be playing tomorrow, but he is very much part of our plans.”
Nosworthy said he thought the new format was exciting, but it would take some time to get used to it.
”There are going to be lots of things for the captain to think about,” he said.
”I think it will take some time before everyone works out the best strategies, but I do believe this format will make it more exciting for the spectators.” — Sapa