SA20: Having international players and coaches who will deliver a good product

South African legend Jacques Kallis believes the inaugural SA20 will improve the quality and skills of young players coming from the ranks in the country.

Kallis will appear in SA20 as assistant coach to Graham Ford’s Pretoria Capitals for the inaugural SA20 season, scheduled to take place from January 10 to February 11 next year, after spending time as an experienced T20 coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in various roles.

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“I think South African cricket has been crying out for this for a long time. I think we’ve seen the amazing work they (Franchise League cricket) have done all over the world in terms of how they can improve the domestic competition of cricket.”

“Having international players and coaches will definitely provide a good product. It will improve the youngsters coming in. I have no doubt that it will be the same here and everyone is looking forward to that. The standard will be very high,” Kallis said in an official statement issued by the tournament.

The SA20 offer will provide young players unparalleled in South African cricket, with all 33 matches of the six-team league being broadcast live on SuperSport in Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as in India on Viacom18 Sports.

“With everything being televised, it’s a great opportunity for players to get their name out there, be it for international cricket or other leagues around the world. What better stage for these youngsters to get their hands on in this competition?” Kallis is enthused.

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The sport in South Africa is known for its fiercely contested derbies and SA20 will add to that tradition when MI Cape Town and neighbors Paarl Royals kick off the tournament at Newlands on January 10.

The opening match will follow the Durban Super Giants hosting the Jo’burg Super Kings at Kingsmead on January 11, before Kallis’ Pretoria Capitals travel to Gqeberha on January 12 to take on the Eastern Cape Sunrisers at St George’s Park.

“The good thing about all these games is that it’s like a derby. And when you look at the teams on paper they are equal in strength and that bodes well for the competition because any team can beat another”, Kallis concluded.

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