Graeme Smith Critiques ILT20 for Lack of Local Cricket Investment
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New Delhi, Jan 8 (NationPress) SA20 commissioner and former South African captain Graeme Smith asserts that leagues such as the UAE’s ILT20 are detrimental to the sport due to a lack of reinvestment into the local cricket ecosystem. The third season of SA20 is scheduled to commence on Thursday, coinciding once more with ILT20.
"We view ourselves as distinctly different from the ILT20. We are a South African league, predominantly featuring South African players, and our primary aim is to enhance the prospects for South African players. Given the context of the ILT20, it’s challenging for me to avoid sounding negative towards them," stated Smith during the captain's day press briefing in Cape Town on Wednesday.
“I genuinely believe that a league like that poses issues for the sport; the necessity for numerous international players to form a team indicates a lack of investment in local cricket. This represents a significant concern for global cricket, one that must be addressed moving forward,” he continued.
The SA20 league adopts a playing style similar to that of the Indian Premier League (IPL), allowing four international players in the playing eleven, while the ILT20 permits up to nine overseas cricketers in their respective teams.
Smith emphasized that the principal focus of SA20 is nurturing local talent, while also providing international players the opportunity to challenge themselves in this six-team tournament. "As a Full Member nation, our priority lies in establishing a global league that benefits South African cricket. This is crucial for us. We have concentrated on developing SA20 to the extent that we are now recognized as one of the premier leagues beyond the IPL," he remarked.
"This recognition is vital for us, and we have received positive feedback. Players are increasingly expressing their desire to compete here because of the competitive environment, enthusiastic crowds, high cricket standards, and the chance to test their skills," he added.
Smith concluded by sharing the factors contributing to the league's success thus far. "The ability to attract six professional and competitive franchises has been key. We feature top local talent, the finest from South Africa, alongside exceptional international players."
"Each season brings a mix of excitement and anxiety. We have exerted tremendous effort to reach this point. With two seasons behind us, I believe we have established ourselves as a significant league, likely the largest outside of the IPL," he commented.
"I will always remember witnessing the vibrant fan bases and the colors of each team being cheered on. The global feedback indicates that when people tune in, they see a joyful South Africa during summer, filled stadiums, and remarkable cricket," he concluded.
