The Mzansi Super League (MSL T20) has already proved its global appeal as feeder to the prestigious Indian Premier League, with Cape Town Blitz tearaway Anrich Nortje picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders at the IPL Auction on Tuesday last week.

I am excited for what future editions of the MSL T20 holds for showcasing talented players, who have quietly been building their way up towards their big break.

These aren’t brand new players, but the MSL T20 is a brand new international platform – the first ever of its kind in South Africa to give domestic players a chance to shine on a level previously reserved for Proteas, and a few overseas professional journeymen.

There have always been concerns about the gap between domestic and international cricket, and this new League may be just the launch platform that South African cricket has needed to unearth new gems.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has a good base to build on after hosting its successful inaugural edition of the MSL T20, and there is a real opportunity to grow this League into something bigger than anyone had anticipated.

Many understandably wondered if this League would ever get underway, and when it finally did on 16 November at Newlands, it was with a heady mix of great relief and great excitement.

With the League being centrally run by CSA, it allowed the federation to test its people at the highest level, having spent years up-skilling them. 

Working on the official television broadcast, I was fortunate to see all six venues and witnessed first hand the difference this League was making to ordinary people around the country.

I was in awe of how six brand new teams were able to garner significant local and international fan support in such a short period of time. 

Paarl really stood out for me. For the first time ever, they had their own team – The Paarl Rocks, and it was fantastic to see the way the community rallied behind their team, with fans queueing for over two hours to get into the ground.

In review, I would support two more teams being added to the mix, to spread the game to communities who desperately want to be part of the action. Hands up, Border, Free State, North West?

This would imply an extended tournament, encouraging bigger crowds as the tournament edges a little further into December. 

What about the CSA domestic competition? Does it still have a role as perhaps the official feeder to the MSL T20 or is it time to focus on building the new League into one of the biggest and best run competitions in the world?

There are many learnings for CSA to ponder over, and I sense a move already underway to ensure a bigger and better 2019 edition.

One big plus has been its accessibility through free-to-air via SABC, with over 10 million domestic unique viewers gained over the duration of the tournament.

It is only through sincere collaborations that this League can grow and compete with the best in the world.

What sold the League for me was the player reaction to the first edition. Every player I encountered spoke glowingly about the efforts made the opportunities that exist going forward. 

I have a feeling that top international players are already eyeing out next year’s edition of MSL T20.

Congratulations to CSA and its partners for ensuring SA’s very own international T20 league finally got off the ground. In the end, it was a dream delayed, not denied. 

Dish me up a scoop of MSL T20, and a double for IPL find Anrich Nortje!

 

Photo 1 caption: Proud of the Jozi Stars and how they gained momentum throughout the tournament to emerge as the inaugural Mzansi Super League 2018 winners.

Photo 2 caption: I love hosting post match presentations and hearing first hand from the stars of the show, especially after dramatic finishes. We had a few! Here I chatted to AB de Villiers and Farhaan Behardien after the Blitz beat the Spartans at Supersport Park following Quinton de Kock’s glorious century. 

Photo 3 caption: Incredibly honoured to have commentated on the first ever MSL T20 and worked alongside former South African cricketers, like JP Duminy and Monde Zondeki

Photo 4 caption: The incredible scenes of the final post-match interview at Newlands in Cape Town, on Sunday, 16 December, 2018, when Stars fast bowler Beuran Hendricks brought his child up to receive the Player of the Match award.