CSA promises of new 'world-class' T20 league

Johannesburg, June 9 - Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Friday promised to launch a new "world-class" T20 competition after forging an equity deal with its main broadcast partner SuperSport.

The yet-to-be-named league will be played in November and December this year after the cricket board decided to ditch the Twenty20 Global League brand that became mired in controversy.

"CSA is delighted to announce this equity partnership with our long-term broadcast partners, SuperSport. We have put the problems we experienced with the proposed Global T20 League behind us and look forward to hosting the new competition (which will be named later)," CSA acting CEO Thabang Moroe said in a statement.

"This event will create wonderful opportunities for local players (including current Proteas and up and coming youngsters) to hone their white-ball skills," Moroe added.

While not providing specific figures, Moroe labelled the deal as "the biggest in the history of South African domestic cricket, which will ensure the welfare of the game in South Africa."

"The two parties announced a ground-breaking agreement in terms of which a new company (Newco) will be formed, in which both CSA and SuperSport will be shareholders."

"CSA will hold the majority share. Both shareholders will contribute capital to fund the Newco. SuperSport will broadcast the competition throughout sub-Saharan Africa and the adjacent islands and provide a broadcast feed to international broadcasters," the statement added.

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IANS