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Zim to play as 7th franchise
21/11/2007 16:37 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Zimbabwe's participation in South African franchise cricket for the 2007/8 season has been finalised and details were released in Johannesburg on Wednesday by Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO Gerald Majola.
In terms of an agreement reached between CSA, CSA's six franchises, and the South African Cricketers' Association (Saca), Zimbabwe will play as a seventh franchise in the domestic championship and the Pro20 Series. All their matches in these two competitions will be played on a normal home and away basis.
Zimbabwe will not participate in the SuperSport Series which has already begun, but will instead play three four-day matches in South Africa against an SA Composite X1.
The team will comprise a minimum of six franchise players and the balance will be fringe franchise players from the amateur ranks. It will be chosen by the national selection pPanel.
This three-match series will be known as the SuperSport Challenge and will have first-class status.
The first match begins at Sedgars Park, Potchefstroom on Thursday. The other fixtures and venues will be announced shortly but all three matches will take place in South Africa.
The fixtures involving Zimbabwe for the limited overs competitions will also be announced shortly, but will not affect existing fixtures announced by CSA.
More competitive level of cricket
Majola said in a statement issued in Johannesburg: "Following a series of meetings between the CEOs of CSA's affiliates and the South African Cricketers' Association, agreement was reached at assisting Zimbabwe players to participate in a more competitive level of cricket.
"This is in terms of a request by the International Cricket Council to provide Zimbabwe players with an opportunity to play more competitive cricket in their bid to play Test cricket again.
"The South African players, through Saca, also wish to assist Zimbabwe players in this regard and also for the participation to be beneficial to South African cricket.
"The Zimbabwe Cricket Union has welcomed this initiative, and has agreed to field Zimbabwe's strongest team for every match.
"This new set-up will be reviewed at the end of the 2007-8 season".
The national selectors have given opportunities in the Composite XI to several younger players who have started to make their mark at SuperSport Series level. These include Highveld Lions opening batsman Blake Snijman, Warriors seamer Sinethemba Mjekula, and the Cape Cobras duo of batsman Stiaan van Zyl and opening bowler Pepler Sandri.
Composite XI
The South African Composite XI to play against a Zimbabwe X1 in the first SuperSport Challenge match at Sedgars Park, Potchefstroom from November 22-25 is:
Benji Hector (captain), Stephen Cook, Cliffie Deacon, Athenkosi Dyili (w/k), Petrus Koortzen, Dumisa Makalima, Sinethemba Mjekula, Pepler Sandri, Blake Snijman, Jean Symes, Stiaan van Zyl, Timmy Gamade (12th man)
Coach: Lawrence Mahatlane, Physiotherapist: Lambert Fick.
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