Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Cricket South Africa announced on Friday that the dates of the Standard Bank Pro20 semi-finals had been altered to allow for more matches to be televised live on SuperSport.
"Cricket South Africa acknowledges that complications have arisen from a revised semi-final format wherein provision has been made for the semi-finals to be played on a home and away basis," commented Brian Basson, General Manager: Cricket Operations of Cricket South Africa.
"Having taken cognisance of the preferences of franchises, the original schedule is based on the first and second leg of both semifinals being staged on Friday and Sunday Februtry 13 and 15 respectively.
"Given the necessity to make provision for a third leg, this has been scheduled for Wednesday February 18, thereby allowing for the final to be staged on Friday February. 20
"It should also be noted that in accordance with the playing conditions, provision has been made for a reserve day in respect of all semi-final matches. Whereas this schedule complies with the preference of franchises in that the matches are staged primarily on prime days (Friday and Sunday), it does have negative consequences in that only one semi-final match of the first and second leg will be broadcasted.
"Cricket South Africa has consulted extensively with all stakeholders with the object of arriving at a solution which will serve the best interests of all parties. In this regard it has been decided to select the option which will maximise broadcast opportunities. The option which gives effect to the above principle necessitates the rescheduling of the first leg and an adjustment to the start times of the second leg of the semifinals.
"Furthermore, given the limited period available in which to plan for the staging of the semifinal matches, (which may only become known at the conclusion of the last round scheduled for Sunday February 8), in addition to the time constraints that would result in the event of the necessity of matches being finalised on reserve days, it is necessary to designate the order in which matches are to be staged."
The semi- final schedule has been revised as follows:
Wed. Feb 11: D/N 1st Leg: 4th placed v 1st Placed
Thur. Feb 12: D/N Reserve day
Fri. Feb 13: D/N 1st. Leg: 3rd placed v 2nd placed
Sat. Feb 14: Day Reserve day
Sun. Feb 15: 11am 2nd Leg:1st placed v 4th placed AND
2.30pm 2nd placed v 3rd placed
Mon. Feb 16: D/N Reserve day
Wed. Feb 18: D/N 3rd Leg: 1st placed v 4th. placed
3rd leg: 2nd placed v 3rd placed
Thur. Feb 19: Day Reserve day
Fri. Feb 20: D/N Final
Sat. Feb 21: Reserve day
