Former South Africa captain says CSA’s new T20 league will bring an investment that their game desperately needs

Firdose Moonda19-Aug-2022

Graeme Smith on CSA T20 league: ‘I feel that if we hadn’t done this South African cricket could have probably lost eight to ten players to this UAE league’•Getty Images

Test cricket could be played by only five or six countries with competitive teams in the future, according to former South Africa captain Graeme Smith. Speaking on on day three of the first Test between South Africa and England at Lord’s, Smith, who is now Cricket South Africa’s T20 league commissioner, said he didn’t think South Africa “have any intent to not play Test cricket,” but that the format appears destined to shrink overall.”With Test cricket, it’s just iconic nations or the big cricketing nations that are contributing to Test cricket at the moment,” Smith said. “I think it’s fantastic especially under Virat Kohli that India really took Test cricket seriously. They lead the way with that. But as long as we’ve got competitive teams, you’re not going to have 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 competitive teams. You might only be down to five or six nations that play Test cricket at this level.”Smith’s comments came on the back of the ICC’s new FTP, according to which South Africa play fewer Tests in the next cycle (2023-2027) than the current one (2019-2023) and no three-Test series in the 2023-2025 World Test Championship (WTC).CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki explained that their calendar was constrained by their new T20 league and the financial implications of hosting Test cricket but understood there would be disappointment with their sparse fixture list. The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) were among the first to voice their frustration.”We are disappointed with the lack of Test cricket. For youngsters, it’s the optimum test of your cricket ability,” Andrew Breetze, SACA CEO told ESPNcricinfo. “With fewer Tests being played and more two-Test series, Test cricket is being diluted. If you look at what FICA and SACA have been saying for the last five years, we said that the ICC should take ownership of this by looking at how we balance bilateral cricket with T20 events and if they don’t do that we are going to see Test cricket being diminished by the non-big three. We are there. And that’s disappointing.”Related

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Despite that, SACA and its members (South African domestic and international players) will throw their weight behind the new T20 league as they recognise the pivotal role it will play in keeping South African cricket sustainable. “We support the league. The league is critical for the survival of cricket in South Africa,” Breetzke said. “We’ve got three sources of revenue for cricket in South Africa – broadcast revenue, sponsorship and ICC revenue. Two of those are reducing, and because of that, we’ve got to find a source of revenue and that is the T20 league.”Broadcast revenue and sponsorships are the two streams that are shrinking, partly because of the state of the global game and economy and partly because of CSA’s recent administrative meltdown. “If you are not playing India enough, your broadcast revenue is down,” Breetzke said. “Sponsorship revenue is two-fold because we’re not playing as much and because of the last five years at CSA. No-one wants to get involved in our cricket and that’s the sad reality. There is a lot of work for CSA – and to give them credit they are doing it – to enhance the work of CSA and to get sponsors. That’s more critical than ever. The market has changed post Covid. You are not getting those 18-million-rand-a-year Standard Bank sponsorships. The market is more about short-term sponsorship deals, smaller sponsorship and more specific sponsorship. That’s where CSA have to up their game.”Graeme Smith: ‘I don’t think world cricket can afford South Africa or any one of the top nations to start fading away’•BCCI

The six teams in CSA’s new league have all been bought by IPL owners, a development that will inject unprecedented amounts of money into the country’s game. “It’s certainly going to be an investment into our game that South African cricket desperately needed,” Smith said. “The pressures on nations like New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa to stay financially sustainable to keep up with England, India, and the world game to stay competitive is hugely important. I don’t think world cricket can afford South Africa or any one of the top nations to start fading away.”Asked whether he thought there were any dangers to private ownership, Smith said he did not see any drawbacks. “Cricket South Africa is still the major shareholder in this league. The investment into the South African game is still going to happen. It’s not people coming in and taking cricket away from the federation. A big part of this private ownership is that these owners had to look at the grassroots programmes, development programmes and how they would impact that. Hopefully we’ll see a talent pool would really get stronger and stronger and benefit cricket across the board. We needed partners that were sustainable. They’re not looking to make a dollar early on, they were prepared to invest in South Africa and grow this opportunity with us. And I think the key difference for us is that the money will still flow back into the game.”Given all the promises of the new league, CSA has been willing to move other commitments aside, including future Test engagements and forfeiting World Cup Super League matches in Australia next January. Smith said it was a necessary sacrifice, which was actually a lot smaller than it may seem. “For four weeks of an entire year, the priority will be the league. I feel that if we hadn’t done this South African cricket could have probably lost eight to ten players to this UAE league,” he said. “People also look at those three ODIs wrong. Yes, South Africa hasn’t handled ODI cricket as well and it should never be in this position. But for South Africa to be in Australia out of their key part of the summer financially is a huge stress for them. It’s like asking England not to play during your summer. The commitment that South African cricket made to go for the three Test matches is good for the game. It’s something that won’t happen often.”South Africa will not travel to Australia for Tests at all in the next FTP, and overall they also play fewer ODIs than any of the other Full Members, and the third-lowest number of bilateral matches in total after Ireland and Zimbabwe. That number may increase after ongoing discussions with other members.Moseki said CSA were looking at ways to organise more ODIs before the 2027 World Cup but SACA hoped additional fixtures can also be secured before then. “It’s placed CSA in a position where they have to go out and negotiate additional white-ball matches,” Breetzke said. “If you look at that FTP and you look at areas there, there’s a negotiation for additional matches. Relationships are going to be critically important as to can we enhance that FTP with white-ball cricket.”

The Champions League format has changed and perhaps – whisper it quietly – this is a changed Celtic in European competition.

Of course, the trip to Dortmund may suggest otherwise, but it has been a rather solid start to this year’s edition for the Old Firm side, having picked up four points already from just three league outings.

That is as many points as the Hoops picked up from six group games in 2023/24, with Brendan Rodgers’ side no doubt beginning to dream of securing a place in the knockout rounds for the first time since the 2012/13 campaign.

The Premiership side’s latest outing away to Atalanta certainly wasn’t easy on the eye, but having rolled over on the road in the past, the Glasgow giants stood firm, repelling wave after wave of attacks from their rampant hosts.

In the thick of the action on the night for the visitors was summer signing Kasper Schmeichel, with the veteran Dane again proving just what an astute acquisition he has been for the Scottish champions.

Kasper's Schmeichel's start at Celtic

With former Manchester City colleague Joe Hart having called time on his lengthy career at the end of last season, Schmeichel appeared to be the obvious choice to succeed the Englishman, having previously worked under Rodgers at Leicester City.

Available on a free transfer amid his exit from Belgian side Anderlecht, the deal was, it must be said, a no-brainer, with the Premier League winner providing a wealth of experience to a relatively youthful Celtic side.

It is of course still early days, yet the 37-year-old has been simply masterful in between the sticks thus far, having already kept seven clean sheets in all competitions, while conceding just three goals in eight Premiership games.

The new addition was particularly impressive in Bergamo as he repeatedly thwarted the Europa League holders, notably denying Mario Pasalic’s driven effort with his feet, while also keeping out a bullet header from Mateo Retegui.

That “outstanding” performance – in the words of Hart – was vital in helping his side to claim a first Champions League clean sheet in seven years, with the decision to sign Schmeichel on a free having paid off handsomely.

The only concern will be, however, that at 37, the 109-cap Denmark international – who only joined on a one-year deal – is not a long-term solution, even if he could still have a few years left at the top level.

It is for that reason that the club’s biggest bargain of the summer perhaps came elsewhere…

Celtic's bargain summer deal

His impact has been fleeting so far, yet the measly £1m that was dished out on Dundee skipper, Luke McCowan already looks likely to be a particularly astute investment.

The boyhood Celtic fan has hit the ground running in his new surroundings, having notably chalked up his first goal for the club in the 2-0 win over Hearts back in September.

Competition in those midfield ranks is fierce following the other permanent captures of Paulo Bernardo and club-record signing, Arne Engels, yet on current evidence, it could be McCowan who is forcing his way into Rodgers’ starting lineup.

The 26-year-old was particularly impressive off the bench in last week’s 2-2 draw with surprise title rivals, Aberdeen, providing one key pass from just 14 touches as he looked to unpick the visiting defence, having also enjoyed a 90% pass accuracy in that late cameo.

The “tenacious” talent – as hailed by writer Kai Watson – is seemingly deserving of a chance to properly impress from the off in games, having previously contributed 15 goals and assists in the top-flight last season for his former employers.

8 games (3 starts)

3 goals

1 assist

0.9 key passes per game

2.2 tackles & interceptions per game

5.1 balls recovered per game

60% total duels won

63% ground duels won

9.3x possession lost per game

Hopes of the playmaker surpassing that £1m value can be boosted by his apparent likeness to one former Celtic star, with pundit Andy Walker likening him to Ryan Christie, prior to his move to Parkhead:

With Christie now valued at around £15m following his rise at Bournemouth, it showcases the kind of trajectory that McCowan could well follow – albeit hopefully at Celtic Park, rather than south of the border.

As such, while the recent window saw the Hoops splash out over £20m on the likes of Adam Idah and Engels, it could be the deals of Schmeichel and McCowan – in particular – who prove to be the biggest bargains.

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ByRobbie Walls Oct 18, 2024

da stake casino： During the 2022/23 January transfer window, Chelsea spent a whopping £273m on seven new faces, while João Félix arrived on a six-month loan deal, costing around £9.1m.

da blaze casino： The big deal of that month was done on deadline day for Chelsea, as they broke the bank for Benfica midfielder, Enzo Fernández, costing them around £106.8m, becoming the British-record transfer deal at the time.

The 23-year-old has since gone on to make 71 appearances for the Blues so far, scoring seven goals, providing six assists, and totalling 5,624 minutes.

Chelsea Januray 2023 transfers

Name

Fee (£)

Enzo Fernández

£106.8m

Mykhailo Mudryk

£62m

Benoit Badiashile

£35m

Noni Madueke

£30.7m

Malo Gusto

£26.3m

Andrey Santos

£18m

David Datro Fofana

£10m

João Félix

£9.1m

Perhaps considered the biggest bargain of these deals, was the acquisition of Malo Gusto from Lyon, who has gone on to make 45 appearances for the club already – often in the place of the injury-prone Reece James – providing ten assists.

Alongside Gusto, Noni Madueke has begun to have a huge impact for Chelsea in the past few months, making his fee look a real bargain too. The 22-year-old has made 55 appearances for the Blues, netting 14 times, setting up teammates three times, and playing 2,891 minutes of football.

But Madueke could be in for some extra competition, as Chelsea are assessing some more forward options ahead of the January transfer window, including one exciting “difference-maker” as labelled by notable scout Jacek Kulig.

Chelsea looking at signing new winger

According to reports from CaughtOffside, Chelsea are among the interested clubs in Dortmund sensation, Jamie Gittens, who is also of interest to London rivals, Tottenham.

The report states he could cost as much as €100million (£83m) after his excellent start to this campaign.

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The 20-year-old English winger has made 11 appearances for the German side so far this season, scoring five goals already (including three in the Champions League), and providing three assists in just 559 minutes played.

He starred for the German giants on the continental stage most of all, including scoring against Real Madrid to send BVB 2-0 up before the inevitable happened, a victory for the Spanish out on Tuesday evening.

If Gittens was to join Chelsea, he would be up against the likes of Madueke, Pedro Neto, Mykahailo Mudryk, and Jadon Sancho, as the wide man can play on both the left and right wing.

How Gittens compares to Madueke

The English winger has made all 11 of his appearances from the left-wing this season, so his direct competition for the Blues would be the likes of Sancho and Mudryk.

However, we have seen Enzo Maresca playing Neto on the left too, and he clearly is willing to play his wide men on either side, if they are capable, something that Gittens is.

So, how does he compare to some of the club’s best assets? Well, in a host of areas – chiefly goals and assists per 90 – the Dortmund sensation comes out on top.

Gittens vs Madueke & Sancho

Stats (per 90 mins)

Gittens

Madueke

Sancho

Goals

0.81

0.56

0.00

Assists

0.32

0.14

0.79

xG

0.29

0.31

0.03

xAG

0.16

0.20

0.32

Progressive Carries

6.25

6.07

5.00

Progressive Passes

1.61

2.13

5.00

Shots Total

1.94

4.08

0.26

Key Passes

1.07

1.15

2.35

Shot-Creating Actions

3.39

2.79

4.12

Successful Take-Ons

4.11

1.80

3.53

Stats taken from FBref

Madueke and Gittens do have similar play styles, though, being on the more direct side, looking to have a higher shot volume, generating xG by attacking the box, and getting themselves on the scoresheet. Sancho, on the other hand, is a creator, excelling in passing metrics, and creating for others, averaging 0.79 assists per 90, and 4.12 shot-creating actions per 90.

Despite Gittens and Madueke playing on opposite sides, it would be likely that Maresca only plays one of the two, depending on the fixture, as they will both offer similar traits to the side. This could see the potential 2025 signing on the left, with Neto on the right, who can bring the creativity from out wide that is lost when Sancho isn’t playing.

Having Gittens and Neto, plus Sancho and Madueke as your two winger pairings would be elite squad depth. The main question would then become, what happens to Mudryk, and that would be at the forefront of the directors’ minds when making a decision on whether to sign the Dortmund superstar for such a big fee.

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Posts ByConnor Holden Oct 23, 2024

Stats highlights from the third day of the first Test between New Zealand and India in Auckland

Shiva Jayaraman08-Feb-2014

• India’s fast bowlers dismissed New Zealand for 105 in the second innings- the hosts’ fourth-lowest total against India in Tests. New Zealand were bowled out for 94 in Hamilton in 2002, which is their lowest total against the visitors. Four of the five lowest scores for New Zealand against India have come at home, with two of them being in Auckland.
• India had New Zealand tottering at 25 for 5 in their second innings. This was only the fifth time that India had their opposition five down for 25 or less in Tests. The last such instance was against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in 2005.
• New Zealand’s total in their second innings was their sixth-lowest at Eden Park. Their lowest at this venue is 26, against England in 1955.
• The third day’s play saw 17 wickets falling for 264 runs. Only once has more wickets fallen in a day at this venue in a Test- against Australia, when 18 wickets fell for 304 runs on the first day. There are only six instances of 18 or more wickets falling on a single day in Tests in New Zealand. Click here for a list of Tests in which 18 or more wickets have fallen on a single day.
• The difference between New Zealand’s total in the first innings and the second innings was 398 runs, which is the second-highest difference between their scores in two innings of a Test, and the highest when they have scored more runs in the first innings. New Zealand’s highest deficit between two innings of a Test is 497, against Sri Lanka in Wellington in 1991. On that occasion though, New Zealand made up for their ordinary show in the first innings with huge score of 671 in their second. Click here for a list of the highest difference between a team’s first and second innings.
• India’s fast bowlers took 17 wickets in the match – only the seventh instance of them taking 17 or more wickets in a Test. The last time India’s quicks notched so many wickets in a Test was against England at Trent Bridge in 2011.
• New Zealand have set India a target of 407 runs. Only four targets of 400 or more have been chased successfully in Tests. The highest target that has been chased down successfully at the Eden Park is 345, which West Indies achieved against the hosts, way back in 1969.

South Africa will remain cautious with Vernon Philander’s hamstring complaint, are not worried about Quinton de Kock’s form and are looking forward to Rilee Roussouw becoming a permanent spot in the XI

Firdose Moonda in Auckland05-Mar-20151:51

Duminy back in squad after fitness test

Should JP Duminy pass his fitness test on Thursday afternoon, he will likely slot back into South Africa’s XI for their Saturday clash against Pakistan in Auckland. But that may not be the case for Vernon Philander, whose hamstring strain will need to be more conservatively managed and may result in his returning only later in the tournament.”A guy like JP will definitely get back in the mix. He has been one of our best players over a period of time,” coach Russell Domingo said. “We need to make sure Vernon is 100 percent ready to go because we need to be careful with a hamstring strain with the important stage of the competition still to come.”South Africa have all but secured a spot in the knockouts and early calculations see them traveling back to Australia to play a quarter-final Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide and they see Philander as key when the competition reaches that stage. Domingo was keen to use him on pitches he has a proven liking for, but if they need to hold him back from their remaining fixtures in New Zealand to ensure he is available later on, they will.”If there is something in the wicket, there are few better bowlers than Vernon Philander. He is able to extract whatever movement there is,” Domingo said. “If there is something in the wicket and particularly at this venue there might be. We’ve had two low scores in the games here, then. Vernon is a handful, he hits that area consistently and finds a little bit of nip, swing.”Although Philander’s experience in New Zealand has been limited to four ODIs, he has taken six wickets at 15.83 and has an economy of 4.22. His skills would be a handy against Pakistan and the UAE, but his chances of making the XI will depend on how well his hamstring has healed.Someone whose place is not in in doubt is Quinton De Kock. The opener has got into double-figures only once in five ODIs since returning from an ankle ligament tear but Domingo said neither the injury nor the lack of game time has hampered de Kock.”The ankle is fine. All batters go through periods when they are looking for runs. It was four games ago in a warm-up game when he got a good 60 against Sri Lanka,” Domingo reminded.That innings came amid de Kock’s lean patch, his first since establishing himself with three successive centuries against India. De Kock followed that run with another ton in Sri Lanka, where he had appeared out of his depth in 2013, and became Hashim Amla’s third-most successful partner in runs terms after Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers. Naturally, a bubble built around de Kock.”The expectation from a lot of people is that every time he bats, he is going to get runs and cricket does not work like that,” Domingo said.”It’s a good time for a young player who has had a great start to his international career and this will be a good test for him to find the form he is capable of. I’m sure it will be challenging for him because he has always been such a successful young player and a lot has been said and written about him for a young player. But players like that need a bit of love and attention and affection.”So who is providing the hugs? “I’m hoping his girlfriend,” Domingo joked. “I am giving him a lot of attention at the moment. Love is not the word. He is an important player for us and we need to get him going in the right direction so we are giving him as much attention as we possibly can.”With de Kock’s spot safe and Duminy likely to come back, that leaves Rilee Rossouw in limbo but all indications are that he has a big future with the ODI side, perhaps even in this tournament. He may yet displace Farhaan Behardien, especially because of the depth Rossouw provides to the batting line-up.”Even though Rilee wasn’t getting runs at the start of his career, he really looked like a guy who could dominate in international cricket. He has always looked good in the nets, in the warm-up games, the way he has gone about his preparation and when he has gone back to domestic cricket, he has always looked like a man amongst boy,” Domingo said. “He has always shown the attributes that we like. Its a big x-factor for him that he is able to dominate against opposition and he has always played with the mantra that he is able to take the game forward. A little bit of luck has gone his way, a little bit of confidence, coming in at the right times has been important for him and he has grown his game nicely.”Nicely enough to be among a World Cup starting XI? Saturday may tell.