JOHANNESBURG – The Covid-19 pandemic has once more forced Cricket South Africa to readjust its doemstic schedule with the start for amateur cricket pushed back to February.
Cricket SA had originally planned on starting ameteur cricket - that include provincial, club, schools and mini-cricket - in the first week of January. However, in a statement released on Wednesday, CSA said that because of the Level 3 lockdown measures instituted by the government last month, no amateur cricket would be possible this month.
Cricket SA is looking at starting the season on February 1, with an eye on extending the season to May.
The Senior Provincial Men’s season had been due to get underway Thursday with the start of the 3-Day Provincial Cup with five matches scheduled across the country. The teams would have then gone on to compete in the opening round of the CSA Provincial One-Day Cup on Sunday. The provincial competitions for the country’s womens players was due to take place this weekend as well.
“While we appreciate the eagerness of our buddying cricketers to play, we are unfortunately constrained by the reality of the Covid-19 pandemic that is currently gripping the country, from which cricket is not spared,” said CSA’s acting Head of Cricket Pathways, Eddie Khoza.
“In an effort to make up for the time lost to amateur cricket, CSA is considering the possibility of extending the playing window to the end of May 2021. Further, Senior Provincial Men and Women will be prioritised as we explore the option of having tournaments played within bio-secure environments,” concluded Khoza.
CSA has already had to make radical adjustments for the men’s franchise competitions. The last round of the Four-Day Series was postponed in December, while one match, between the Dolphins and Titans may also be re-scheduled. The Momentum One-Day Cup will start this weekend in Potchefstroom, where it will be played in a special bio-secure environment.
IOL Sport