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Justin Kemp (File)
Cape Town - Cape Cobras captain Justin Kemp says the new 50-over 1-Day Cup competition will help South Africa produce more top quality all-rounders.
The format of South Africa's premier domestic one-day competition changed to a 50-over format after it was contested over 40-overs per innings last season. In the MTN40, as it was called, teams were also allowed to pick 13 players to utilise substitutes.
And Kemp believes the quality of cricket has already improved markedly under the new system, which follows one-day international standards.
"We have already seen batsmen being more calculated and building their innings, instead of last year's more hastier and less planned cricket.
"It is, however, the impact the new format has had on the development of especially all-rounders which has helped our cricket," Kemp told Die Burger newspaper.
Kemp believes the previous format "undermined" the role of all-rounders because teams could choose additional specialist players.
"It makes sense to play according to the same rules as in international cricket. It is in any case the aim to prepare younger players for international cricket."
Kemp's Cobras take on the Warriors in Friday's final at Newlands after they won the round-robin phase of the competition. Last year, under the 40-over format, they failed to even make it into the top four.
"I definitely believe the new format has played a role in the success we have had. It is no secret that I did not like last year's format," said Kemp.
The format of South Africa's premier domestic one-day competition changed to a 50-over format after it was contested over 40-overs per innings last season. In the MTN40, as it was called, teams were also allowed to pick 13 players to utilise substitutes.
And Kemp believes the quality of cricket has already improved markedly under the new system, which follows one-day international standards.
"We have already seen batsmen being more calculated and building their innings, instead of last year's more hastier and less planned cricket.
"It is, however, the impact the new format has had on the development of especially all-rounders which has helped our cricket," Kemp told Die Burger newspaper.
Kemp believes the previous format "undermined" the role of all-rounders because teams could choose additional specialist players.
"It makes sense to play according to the same rules as in international cricket. It is in any case the aim to prepare younger players for international cricket."
Kemp's Cobras take on the Warriors in Friday's final at Newlands after they won the round-robin phase of the competition. Last year, under the 40-over format, they failed to even make it into the top four.
"I definitely believe the new format has played a role in the success we have had. It is no secret that I did not like last year's format," said Kemp.
