Rock Star Cricket Returns
01/02/2010
The Standard Bank Pro20 Series is back for another rocking season. The 2009/2010 edition of Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) premier domestic twenty-over competition was launched at the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg on Monday with all six franchise captains in attendance giving the tournament the thumbs up.
The 2009/10 season aims to further entrench the Standard Bank Pro20 as the leading sportainment property on the domestic sports calendar. The first match takes place on Wednesday, 3 February when the Nashua Dolphins host the Nashua Titans at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead.
Gerald Majola, CEO CSA, said: "The Standard Bank Pro 20 Series is one of the highlights of the season, bringing with it magical cricket and massive crowds.
"The pioneering eventing format that was evolved over the years by CSA and Standard Bank has become the benchmark wherever this format of the game is played around the world. This winning formula will again be on offer in 2010, and a bumper season is the forecast.
"Adding even more spice to the mix this year has been the launch of the Standard Bank Schools Pro20 Challenge, which got underway on January 20 around the country. This sees over 300 schools going hell-for-leather to find the national champion.
"CSA thanks Standard Bank for these innovative sponsorships which have brought plenty of extra fun and energy to the South African way of life, making everyone feel like a winner".
Clement Motale, Director Group Sponsorships Standard Bank, said “Our sole sponsorship of the twenty over format in South Africa has been an unparalleled success. The addition of a national schools format extends our existing sponsorship into the development and amateur arena.”
An added bonus for the six franchise teams participating is the honour of representing South Africa at the Champions League Twenty20 competition in India later this year. This competition brings together domestic leagues from seven nations as they clash for the top spot in Twenty20 cricket.