The CSA T20 League and its expanse are extending by the minute. With 6 teams of the CSA T20 League belonging to the franchises from the IPL, the IPL franchises are intending to create a monopoly. Whether this monopoly works well for the game or not, only time will tell! But as long as the pockets of the players are full and the entertainment is provided, it is all fun and games. 25 plus players have signed up for the CSA T20 and reports from the ACB (Australian Cricket Board) suggest that Australian players will not be allowed to play in these other leagues. Here is an in-depth look:
CSA T20 League Signs 25 Plus Players:
The franchises have roped in 25-plus players. The major international names that have signed up are as follows:
- Jos Butler
- Liam Livingstone
- Eoin Morgan
- Jason Roy
- Sam Curran
- Adil Rashid
- Tymal Mills
- Jason Holder
- Alzarri Joseph
- Obed McCoy
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Maheesh Teekshana
- Bhanuka Rajapaksha
- Harry Tector
Apart from these 14, 12 major international South African cricketers have been roped in. These players will be readily available as the CSA T20 League is their “domestic league”.
Mumbai Indians Franchise Signs Up Kieron Pollard, KKR Get Narine, and Russell:
The Mumbai Indians are keen on making Kieron Pollard an honest servant and a player which they want to use to the fullest potential. They have signed up Polly, for two more leagues. They have picked him for the UAE T20 League and it is also learned that a contract has been drafted for the CSA T20 League. If Pollard accepts these contracts, he will become one of the top-flight freelance cricketers across the world.
Similarly, the KKR franchise that has a team in the CSA T20 League, has roped in two of their most amazing players for the team. Andre Russell and Sunil Narine will be playing for them in the league if they are fit and available.
Does this imply that Franchise Cricket is Over-Shadowing International Cricket?
A big question that Adam Gilchrist put forth was about the dominance and the monopolies nature of these franchises. The fact is that the “Ambanis” own a team in the IPL, the CPL, the CSA T20 League, and the UAE T20 League. The same applies to the owners of KKR which were further followed by the owners of the Delhi Capitals. Chennai Super Kings have a team in the IPL and the CSA T20 League. So, does this imply that franchise cricket is overshadowing international cricket?
The answer at this moment is “Not Really”. These franchises have minimum to no interest in players who have national duties and are in the prime of their careers. You will never be seeing Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, or Jonny Bairstow play in these leagues instead of a national game. The franchises are specifically interested in freelance cricketers and retired players. So, players like Eoin Morgan, Kieron Pollard, and others have just a few more years of cricket left in them!
To know more go to India Tour of Zimbabwe 2022: Full Schedule, Squads, Timetable, Venue, Predictions. All You Need to Know.
Read more at ICC Breaks Silence: Says Countries Need to Manage Domestic Leagues and International Schedule in 2022.
Read more at the official website of the CSA.