JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) is proud to unveil the domestic fixtures for the 2024/2025 season, showcasing an action-packed calendar that promises to deliver thrilling cricket across the country.
Division 1: T20 Challenge
The Division 1 T20 Challenge is set to captivate fans from 27 September to 27 October. The competition will culminate in a knockout stage featuring two qualifiers and an eliminator, ultimately determining the final contenders.
Defending champions, the DP World Lions, will start their campaign with a fierce encounter against local rivals the Momentum Multiply Titans in the first Jukskei derby of the summer on Friday, 27 September at the DP World Wanderers Stadium.
In other opening fixtures, the recently promoted Knights will battle it out with the North West Dragons at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Saturday, 28 September.
The World Sports Betting Western Province will host Goldrush Boland on Sunday, 29 September, while the Hollywoodbets Dolphins will travel to Gqeberha to face the Dafabet Warriors.
Division 2: T20 Knockout
The Division 2 T20 Knockout will run from 21 September to 20 October 2024. Defending champions, Limpopo Impalas are scheduled to take on the ACDC Express Tuskers in Polokwane.
Last season’s T20 Knockout runners-up, Northern Cape Heat, will host Eastern Storm in Kimberley on Saturday, 22 September. Mpumalanga Rhinos will face the Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers in White River on Sunday, 23 September.
Four-Day Series and One Day Cup
The four-day series is scheduled to commence on 30 October, promising intense, long-format cricket action. The series will culminate in a five-day final from 10-14 April 2025.
The One Day Cup will get underway in February 2025, offering fans more excitement and high-stakes competition.
CSA Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki, commented;
“CSA is excited to announce the domestic fixtures for the upcoming season. This year’s schedule promises an exhilarating mix of matches that will showcase the depth of talent in South African cricket.
“The domestic competitions are a crucial platform for players to perform at their best and for fans to enjoy top-quality cricket.
“The team is also working hard behind the scenes to ensure the second season of the Women’s Professional League is bigger and better, reflecting our commitment to advancing women’s cricket in the country. We look forward to an action-packed season,” said Moseki.
Source: cricket.co.za
Barry Richards (born 1945) – 27 internationals, average 55.56, 207 high score, six centuries, four official Tests: Richards’ average is probably about right. He tailed off, averaging just 28 in six rebel Tests at the end of his career. But look at all the great recent Test batsmen who hung around too long and saw their averages plummet. He did average a phenomenal 79 in five World Series Cricket matches. Note that Richards and Graeme Pollock both shade Jacques Kallis, but from many fewer internationals.
Impulsive Flower
The fastest cricket pitch ever recorded was thrown by Shoaib Akhtar during the 2003 Cricket World Cup. He clocked in at 100.23 mph (161.3 km/h) during a match with England. Akhtar’s feat made him the first cricket bowler to reach 100 mph and he did this twice during his storied career. He earned the nickname “The Rawalpindi Express” for his impressive pitches.
Starshine
Alec Stewart, OBE had a batting average of 39.54. This is the lowest for a player who has scored at least 8000 runs. Stewart holds a score of 8,463 Test runs. This figure is significant because Stewart was born on April 8, 1963 (8/4/63). He is also the cricketer with the highest Test runs who does not have a career double history.